^uiwhjofconSS? 

iiHiiii 

OOOOOt,iaoS4 




\A1\ 



Class 

Book_AZ_a_:i 



GopiglitlS!^ 



COFXRIGHT DEPOSIT. 




'STANDING SENTINEL AT THE FOOT OF THE STAIRS IS A WITCH' 



The BOOK of " 

GAMES AND PARTIES 

FOR ALL OCCASIONS 



EDITED BY 

THERESA HUNT WOLCOTT 

Entertainment Editor of "The Ladies' Home Journal" 




BOSTON 

SMALL, MAYNARD & COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 



(SfV 



M 



^^l^'] 



Copyright, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915, 1916, 

1917, 1918, 1919, 

BY THE CURTIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 

Copyright, 1920, 

By small, MAYNARD & COMPANY 

(incobporated) 



OCT 26 1223 
OCI,A601046 



FOREWORD 

The Ladies' Home Journal, under the leadership of 
Mr. Edward W. Bok as its editor-in-chief, has always 
deemed it a part of its mission to its readers to place be- 
fore them in its pages ways of entertaining that could be 
used at the home party, the church social, and the good 
time in the school " gym." Its aim has been to provide 
lively games, and plans that would provide much harmless 
fun and sharpen wits at the three places where jolly 
young people are safest if there they find the molding in- 
fluences of their lives — the home, the school, the church. 

This accumulation of original material is now brought 
together that it may be given permanence and continue 
to be of value. Our editorial thanks are due to all who 
have contributed ideas in whole or in part to its enter- 
tainment pages. Among those to whom we wish to give 
special recognition, who have originated clever ideas or 
developed ideas at our request, are Winnifred Fales, 
Eleanor Colby, Elsie Duncan Yale and Edna R. Worrell. 
Theresa Hunt Wolcott 
Part Author and Editor 

Philadelphia, December 29, 1919 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER PAGE 

I For January Days and Eves i 

II February Affairs 22 

III For Lincoln's and Washington's Birthdays . 50 

IV Leap- Year Parties 63 

V "Old-Time" Parties for February . ... 72) 

VI Saint Patrick's Day Parties 81 

VII Things to Do at April Fool and Other Fool- 
ish Parties 112 

VIII Springtime and Easter Parties 132 

IX Maytime Parties 149 

X Commencement Affairs i79 

XI Fourth of July Parties 196 

XII The Porch and Garden Parties . . . . . 208 

XIII Lawn and Sports Parties 223 

XIV Fruit Festivals 244 

XV Frolics in Wood and by Stream 253 

XVI The Hallowe'en Party ... 280 

XVII For Thanksgiving and Other Autumn Days . 325 

XVIII Christmas Parties 341 

XIX Entertaining Musical Friends 392 

XX " Literary " and " Art " Affairs 404 

XXI Sewing Parties 426 

XXII "Mixers," Partner Finders and Jolly Novel- 
ties 439 

XXIII Children's Parties S29 

XXIV Announcements and Showers 543 

XXV The Days We Celebrate — Birthday and Wed- 
ding Anniversaries 571 



THE 
BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

FOR HOME, SCHOOL AND CHURCH 
THE WHOLE YEAR ROUND 

CHAPTER- I 

FOR JANUARY DAYS AND EVES 

Beginning with the eve of the first day of the first 
month of the year or the evening of that day, w^hich are 
likely to be among the longest and coldest of the year in 
many places where this book will be used, it is possible to 
plan lively parties of good cheer and fun for every month 
the year through, with special plans for all holidays. The 
more often we can enter into the spirit of these simple, 
wliolesome, social times, the more normal and happy we 
shall be. 

A "Watch Night" Party 

A " watch night " party for New Year's Eve affords op- 
portunity for a merry time. Novel invitations may be 
made by cutting a white cardboard disk a-nd marking it 
with pen and ink to represent the face of a watch. Make 
two slits in the disk through which inch-wide ribbon is run, 
the ribbon being marked in ink with the hour and date of 
the party. The ribbon should hang down like the ribbon 
on a badge. Printing the numerals in red and using green 
ribbon will make a very attractive invitation. 
I 



/ 



2 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

CURRENT EVENTS CONTEST 

A " Current Events Contest " will prove very enter- 
taining at the beginning of the evening. Cut from maga- 
zines and daily papers cartoons illustrative of events M^hich 
have taken place during the last year. These should be 
numbered and pinned up in conspicuous places, minus, of 
course, their titles. By the corresponding numbers on 
cards distributed to the guests can be v^ritten the answer 
or description of the pictured happening. A good prize 
to reward the successful contestant would be a picture. 

OLD year's FOLLIES AND NEW YEAs's RESOLUTIONS 

" Old Year's Follies and New Year's Resolutions " is a 
good game for such a party, and is based on the old-time 
favorite " Consequences." The hostess provides a num- 
ber of sheets of paper as " confession blanks," one for 
each guest. At the head of one set of blanks she writes: 
" I [name of guest] hereby confess that in the year 1919 
I committed these among many follies." Upon the second 
set of blanks she writes: "I [name of guest], bitterly 
repenting my follies of the year that is past, do hereby 

firmly resolve " Each paper is folded so that ro 

name is visible, and passed around in turn for each guest 
to write a folly and a resolution. Allow two minutes to 
each guest for writing follies and two for resolutions, 
after which the papers are opened and read. The highly 
amusing follies and resolutions ascribed to the different 
guests will create the greatest merriment. 

WATCH CONTEST 

A " Watch Contest " is next in order, and for this each 
guest should be provided with a circle of cardboard marked 
like the face of a watch, similar to the invitation forms. 



FOR JANUARY DAYS AND EVES 3 

and the following contest, with spaces for answers, writ- 
ten upon the back : 

I. Used before — Second hand. 

V:2. Between Heaven and earth — Space. 

3. Always seen at a circus — Ring. 

4. Fifteenth wedding anniversary — Crystal. 

")<. 5. Caesar, Mark Anthony and Brutus — Roman charac- 
ters, 

6. What we give each caller — Our hand. 

7. Something women love for adornment — Jewels. 

8. What a policeman should do — Watch. 

9. Summer resorts — Springs. 

10. Breadwinners — Hands. 

11. Read by the secretary — Minutes. 

12. Away from the front — Back. 

13. Supports a flower — Stem. 

14. Having it charged — " On tick." 

*l^ 15. A remainder and a bicycle — Balance wheel. 

16. Something of which a pretty woman is proud — Face. 

New Year's Day Progressive Dinner 

On New Year's Day, set apart for calling and other 
social functions, one of the nicest ideas is to have twelve 
women, whose homes are not too far apart, send invita- 
tions to a progressive dinner, reading : " Dine with us 
through the year." The names of the twelve hostesses 
should follow; and, below, the name of the first hostess 
and the hour. 

The dinner, or supper, could be served in buffet style, 
which would save any embarrassment should out-of-town 
guests happen to call, and it could be understood by all 
hostesses that unexpected guests would simply fall in line. 



4 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Each home should be decorated suitably for the month 
of the year which it represents. The reception room of 
the January hostess should be decorated with New Year's 
bells and New Year's resolutions. Hand each guest a 
New Year's card bearing the inscription : " Each day be- 
gins a new year; a Happy New Year to you." When all 
the guests have assembled conduct them to the home of 
the second hostess, who serves in February's honor. 

At the home of the twelfth hostess, where the dinner 
guests and hostesses gather at the last, have a program 
consisting of favorite Christmas songs and New Year 
recitations, followed by a " Holiday Silhouette Contest." 

HOLIDAY SILHOUTTE CONTEST 

Each contestant is given a small sheet of white card- 
board (about seven by ten inches) and a larger .sheet of 
dark-colored paper — black, green, blue or red — scissors 
and paste or mucilage. Then the contestants are asked 
to cut silhouettes from the colored paper and paste them 
on the white cardboard, making a silhouette picture to 
illustrate a subject given, such as Christmas, Thanks- 
giving, or any other holiday. A good way to conduct the 
contest is to give the gentlemen one subject and the ladies 
another, offering a prize for the best illustration of each. 
Let the gentlemen decide in awarding the lady's prize and 
the ladies in awarding the gentleman's prize. 

A Farewell Party to the Old Year 

The invitations to a New Year's party may be written 
as if for a farewell to a personal friend, worded some- 
what as follows : 

Dear Miss / As [date] is soon to leave us to take up a 

permanent residence in the Past I am inviting a few friends 



FOR JANUARY DAYS AND EVES 5 

to a farewell party on December thirty-first, from nine-thirty 
until twelve-thirty. 

May I ask you to bring some gift which [date] has given, 
and thus help us to have an interesting display? 

In response to the request of the hostess each guest 
should bring a " souvenir " of the year. Musical friends 
may play or sing compositions which have appeared dur- 
ing the year; another guest may read an interesting story 
which has been published, while a housekeeping guest may 
serve candy made by a recipe which was new in the year 
just ending. 

A flower lover may bring pictures of varieties of flowers 
which have been introduced during the year just ending, 
while a guest with a mechanical turn of mind could exhibit 
illustrations of inventions and describe them in an in- 
teresting manner. 

The hostess may request each guest to write the name 
of a gift which he or she will give the year just ending to 
take into the past. The slips are then collected and the 
list of "donations" read aloud, the object being to guess 
each giver. For example, the gifts may include : " A 
tendency to be sarcastic " ; "A crepe shirtwaist made in 
baggy style with kimono sleeves " ; " An inclination to 
worry," etc. 

A Fashion Review could appropriately be held, and 
each woman be asked to write a description of a hat and 
gown which she has worn during the past year. These 
descriptions are read aloud by the hostess, and the men 
requested to identify their wives' costumes. 

For the table decoration use as a centerpiece a doll's 
trunk decorated with holly and marked: " [date]. The 
Past, in Care of Father Time." In this may be placed 
inexpensive noise-making favors to be distributed while 



6 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

refreshments are being enjoyed, for use in welcoming 
the New Year. 

These " racket " or noise-making favors are all made 
by dressing in some grotesque form, in crepe paper, a horn, 
a bell or any other kind of noise maker. There are no 
specific directions for the making of these favors as these 
are simply shown as a guide to one's fancy. They should, 
however, be decorated in the Christmas colors or with 
Christmas accessories. 

When the hour of twelve strikes the trunk should be 
removed from the table and in its place should be set a 
cake with candles, lettered: [date of the new year]. 

A New Year's Masquerade 

In a family where each member was asked to suggest a 
form of entertainment for New Year's Night, Dad leaned 
to a masquerade, with the stipulation that the costume 
must not cost more than fifty cents with a prize for the 
best. He likes all the boys and girls to come and have 
a jolly time, and after the unmasking there are romping 
games and the game of "Masques" — which is masking 
the pictures of local or national celebrities by putting on 
gentlemen's faces mustaches and " sideboards " that are 
not theirs, women's heads on men's figures, et cetera. 

Next each man is given a slip of paper bearing a New 
Year's resolution. Each girl is handed a slip on which is 
written a duplicate of one of the resolutions given to a 
man. The girls and men are now asked to stand on 
opposite sides of the room. At the signal, " One, two, 
three — go ! " every man acts in pantomime the resolution 
which has been given to him until the girl who has the slip 
bearing the duplicate of his resolution finds him. The 
whole effect is very funny. Some of the resolutions are: 



FOR JANUARY DAYS AND EVES 7 

Resolved to Fletcherize my food. 
Resolved to have always a smile. 
Resolved to be an operatic singer. 
Resolved ever to be studious. 
Resolved to play high jinks all the while. 
Resolved to be a football star. 
Resolved to be a prizefighter. 
Resolved to win my lady on my knees. 
Resolved to hunt big game. 
Resolved to be an eloquent orator. 

The resolution partners are now asked to go out to 
refreshments and the particular fun of the supper and the 
most important event of the evening comes w^ith the 
dessert. To each girl is given an individual cake w^ith 
six tiny candles of different colors. Matches are passed 
around and each guest lights her own candles. With 
every cake comes the following verse, and as the girls 
read the verse they watch their candles with anxious eyes 
as they slowly blaze up and burn merrily away: 

" Blow thrice, fair maids, if your fate you would know ; 
Blow twice, blow thrice, blow, blow, blow ! 
If you fail to e:x.tinguish the flame of the Pink, 
There's no telling what others will think. 
But if Blue fails you too. 
Never mind! all these friends are true blue. 
If, after all, the Red blazes ahead, 
Beware of what others have said. 
If the Yellow burns after all. 
It's a warning : Take care lest you fall. 
The Green is a safe and enviable hue. 
It means a long life and a prosperous one too. 
If all the flames die except the lone White, 
Rejoice, for all the wide world you'll delight. 
If you blow them all out, as you probably will. 
There's nothing to do but your own fate fulfill." 



8 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

When the ice cream and cake and candies have gone 
the way of all good things, the guests are told to pull the 
strings that reach out from the dish of nuts and raisins in 
the center of the table. Attached to each string is a 
prophecy for the new year. The girls decide to keep 
these prophecies secret and to meet next New Year's to 
see if they have come true. 

Twelfth Night Parties 

Twelfth night parties call for star-shaped invitations, 
and a line of the following verse may be written in each 
of four points of the star, with the name of the hostess in 
the fifth point : 

Your presence I would now request; 
On Twelfth Night kindly be my guest: 
For 'tis the time when men of old 
Brought incense, myrrh and gleaming gold. 

The rooms should be decorated with greens, among 
which shine numerous gilt and silver stars, while unshaded 
candles provide illumination. The hostess first entertains 
her guests with an account of the various legends and 
traditions surrounding Twelfth Night, since many persons 
are unfamiliar with them. Then the musical members of 
the party will enjoy some old-time carols. 

A " Star Hunt " may be announced, and each guest is 
provided a box in which to collect the many little gilt and 
silver stars which are concealed about the room, a prize 
being awarded to the one finding the greatest number. 

" Astrological Fortunes " are next in order, and the 
hostess, who has provided herself with one of the many 
booklets published on this subject, proceeds to give the 
" past, present and future" of each guest according to the 
sign of the Zodiac under which he or she has been born. 



FOR JANUARY DAYS AND EVES 9 

It will be pretty to have a large star of greens, amid 
which shine the tiny electric lights, such as are used on 
Christmas trees, to form the central decoration of the 
table, and in the center of this rests the Twelfth Night 
cake, which is also fashioned in star form, elaborately 
decorated with icing and lighted by red candles. 

Red ribbons run from the star to each place, and the 
name-cards are gilt and silver stars, the former for the 
women and the latter for the men. 

The menu consists of chicken croquettes with peas and 
potato chips, followed by frozen custard in star molds, 
star-shaped cakes iced in red and white, and, by way of a 
"wassail bowl," fruit lemonade is served. 

The cutting of the cake is performed with much cere- 
mony by the host, and the male guest in whose slice a bean 
is found is acclaimed King, while the finder of a pea, if a 
lady, is hailed as Queen. 

Impromptu costumes may be quickly arranged, and the 
crowning of the monarchs is accomplished with much 
ceremony. It is the decree that each guest must address 
each ruler as " Your Majestic," and not dare to turn the 
back toward them on pain of paying a forfeit. 

Before the party breaks up, according to an old custom, 
the Christmas greens must be taken down and carried 
outdoors for a bonfire. 

The " North Pole Party " 

The " North Pole Party " is a good one for a school or 
college party, as it may be planned on a large scale and 
the invitation may be written in rime on white cardboard 
cut long like a pole and sprinkled with diamond dust : 

Come join us, every cheerful soul. 
And we will journey to the Pole; 



10 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

So never mind the frosty weather, 
But come and have some fun together. 

The room may be decorated to give a realistic repre- 
sentation of an Arctic scene by covering wall, floor and 
furniture with white. Here and there upon the floor may 
be laid irregular pieces of isinglass to simulate ice ponds, 
each guarded by a " Danger " sign. A snow house may 
be built from wooden boxes covered with white paper 
and flecks of cotton batting, and here a snow maiden 
dressed in white trimmed with tinsel and glass icicles 
may distribute frozen fortunes. These latter are written 
on slips of paper and wrapped in cotton sprinkled with 
diamond dust to resemble snowballs. 

A pole wound with white and sprinkled with diamond 
dust represents the North Pole, or a pole may be outlined 
upon the white drapery of the wall. After the frozen 
fortunes have been distributed an obstacle race to the 
Pole will be enjoyed. Use a number of small tables, each 
table providing a different " stunt " which must be accom- 
plished to reach the Pole. For example, at the " Klon- 
dike " a raveled skein of bright gold-colored silk must be 
disentangled. At " Labrador " is a basin of water con- 
taining floating toys, and each person must fish a toy 
from the water by a toy hook and line. At " Greenland " 
a doll's Esquimo suit must be cut from Canton flannel and 
basted together, while at the " Arctic Circle " a circle must 
be drawn without the aid of compasses. The pair first 
reaching the Pole should be rewarded with a large stick 
of white candy. 

The refreshments should be Arctic in style and may 
consist of ice cream sprinkled with shredded cocoanut to 
represent snow, cakes iced in white, white bonbons and 
ice cold fruit punch. 

An " Arctic Modeling Class " is great fun. It should 



FOR JANUARY DAYS AND EVES ii 

be announced that a class of this kind offers excellent 
facilities for instruction in art, especially sculpture. Each 
guest should be requested to bring, by way of preparation, 
an old pair of gloves. A table is furnished with a paste- 
board palette for each guest, with bits of wool, toothpicks, 
colored paper and odds and ends of fur. After the stu- 
dents have taken their places the hostess provides for each 
a dish of clean snow and announces that each guest must 
model and dress a snow figure in as realistic a manner as 
possible, twenty minutes being allowed for the task. If 
desired the name of some noted person as a subject may 
be assigned. At the expiration of the given time, the 
modeling must cease and a ballot may be taken to decide 
whose work is the most meritorious, a prize of a china 
animal rewarding the successful sculptor. Modeling clay 
may be substituted for snow if the party is to be in a 
warm climate. 

/ 

The Mystic New- Year Resolutions 

Most of us like to be mystified and a trick which keeps 
us guessing for a while is sure to prove entertaining. 
Probably that is the reason the following game has never 
failed to please and afford an hour's good amusement : 

At an opportune time the performer " incidentally " 
makes the announcement that he can do a little mind read- 
ing and asks the company if they would care to test his 
skill. Being assured by them that they are eager to do so, 
he furnishes to all small slips of paper, of the same size 
and color, together with pencils, requesting that they write 
a short sentence of not more than four words on the slips, 
on " What I resolve to do this year," without conferring 
with one another regarding the matter, nor divulging 
what they have written. 



12 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

The performer instructs the company not to fold their 
papers but to place them face downward on a small table 
which he has placed at one end of the room, and behind 
which he stands. None of the guests should be permitted 
to sit near the table. 

Now long before the pleasures of the evening begin, the 
performer of this trick must select a colleague and explain 
it to him, telling him what to write on his paper. (In 
this case, we will suppose he told him to write : " Take a 
sea trip.") He instructs his colleague not to bring the 
paper to the table until all the others have done so. 

Hence the colleague is now last to approach the table 
and puts his paper face downward a little apart from the 
others so 'that the performer has it spotted. The per- 
former knows what is written on that particular slip, but, 
of course, nobody knows that he knows. 

He then asks the guests to take their places and kindly 
refrain from commenting but merely raise their hands 
respectively as he reads, with eyes tightly closed, what 
they have written. 

When all is perfectly quiet he starts. He closes his 
eyes and with great solemnity picks up any one of the 
slips, except that of his colleague, and places it on his 
forehead, with the blank side exposed to the audience. 
He rubs his fingers gently over it a few times, as though 
transferring the written words from the paper to his 
brain, and then says : " Someone wrote : ' Take a sea 
'trip.' " He opens his eyes to see if any hand is raised, 
and of course he finds his colleague's high in the air. 
The perform.er looks pleased at his evident success, and 
then casually takes the paper from his forehead and 
glances at it, by way of verification, but, of course, to see 
what is really on it. He finds thereon possibly the sen- 
tence: "Work for suffrage." He places the paper that 



FOR JANUARY DAYS AND EVES 13 

he has just read face downward near one of the corners 
of the table, then closes his eyes again, picks up another 
paper, going through the same process, but this time the 
verdict is : " Someone wrote ' Work for suffrage.' " 

The performer opens his eyes. The guest who wrote 
" Work for suffrage " has silently raised his hand, and 
the company by this time is mystified. The performer 
glances at the paper, as before, and gets possession of 
another sentence. 

Of course the company believe that what the performer 
quotes is on the paper that he holds against his forehead. 
That is why it is important that all the papers look alike 
and that no one be near enough to the table to get a glance 
at them as the performer takes them from his forehead 
and verifies his utterance. He is always one sentence in 
advance, as it were. 

The performer should venture a few remarks now and 
then as to what is written on the paper while it is still 
against his forehead, especially if he feels he can provoke 
a laugh by so doing. 

His colleague's paper is the last he picks up and this 
brings the game to a satisfactory termination, everyone's 
paper apparently having been correctly read. 

When the game is finished he should pretend to be 
fatigued with the strain and rub his eyes a little for 
effect, and if he has paid attention to all the details and 
done his part really well, a few of the guests will be 
ready to believe he has a power along this line that they 
do not possess. There is a wealth of suppositions offered 
and inquiries made, but seldom is any one of the company 
able to offer the correct explanation, and the performer, 
of course, keeps the secret as long as he cares to do so. 



14 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Where the Snow Falls 

A party of twelve with guests of all ages sat round the 
table eagerly awaiting the surprise that came in the form 
of a heaping mound of snowballs on a round, snow- 
covered platform. From the center rose the North Pole, 
at the top of which waved an American flag. 

After this platform had been placed upon the table each 
of the company took a snowball, to which was attached 
a card containing a four-lined rime. As each guest read 
this rime aloud he found the last word omitted, and this 
he had to supply. The fact that it must rime with the 
last word of the second line served as a clue. As soon 
as the word was guessed the snowball was opened, re- 
vealing a corresponding favor. 

Following are the rimes : 

I'll face the wintry blast's cold sting, 

I'll o'er the ocean roll, 
I'm just the man can do this thing, 

I know I'll find the pole. (Stick of candy.) 

I now must have equipment fine, 

I'll seek some funds to draft; 
My friends will surely fall in line, 

I must secure a raft. (A boat.) 

This journey must needs lonely be, 

I to the Fates will bow. 
My boon companion dear to me 

Will be my friend bow-wozv. (A dog.) 

I know we'll have some foes to face. 

This life is not all charms, 
So in the baggage I must place 

Some form of Hvcarms. (A gun.) 




111 

t- CIS 
o C „ 
J- ° ^ 









■53 O" 

:°l8 






a-ia 



FOR JANUARY DAYS AND EVES 15 

Some day I'll feel a hunger sore. 

And if there's nothin' doin', 
'Tis then I'll hunt the country o'er 

Until I find a bruin. (A bear.) 

Or if perchance some smaller game 

My friend and I would share, 
I will bring down with steady aim 

Some young and frisky hare. (A rabbit.) 

If, while I seek far horizons, 

My ship withstands the gale, 
Out of old ocean's denizens 

I hope to land a whale. (A fish.) 

And when I in my hammock rock 

Enjoying my igloo, 
I'll put my hand to my flint-lock 

And slay the mosquito. 
(A big bug, representing the northern mosquito.) 

And while on pemmican we gnaw. 

Perchance to fill the lack. 
For some good tidbit for our maw, 

We hope to hear a quack. (A duck.) 

We'll leap the icebergs peak by peak. 

And o'er the snow we'll go. 
We'll take along for company 

Our friend the Eskimo. (An Eskimo doll.) 

And when my arduous task is done, 

My friends and I well fed, 
I'll take my leisure — have some fun — 

I'll utilize my sled. (A sled.) 



i6 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Ten Alliterative Snowballs 

After such a dinner the hostess should have on hand ten 
circular pieces of varying sizes cut from white paper. 
These are the snowballs and may be fastened together at 
one edge by a bow of narrow white ribbon, the largest 
circle being at the bottom and the others in order of size, 
until the smallest one comes at the top. The hostess re- 
peats the following lines as she gives to the guests the 
circles of white paper : 

Rolling a snowball in the snow 
Makes it always larger grow. 

On the smallest circle each is to write the first allitera- 
tive sentence given below, after the hostess has read it 
aloud only once. On the circle second in size the first two 
sentences are to be written, and so on, until on the last, 
largest circle, all ten are to be written, if anyone can re- 
member all. The guest who remembers and writes down 
the most is the winner. The sentences are: 

One ogling ostrich ousting owls. 
» Two tall tapers toasting tidbits. 
Three tinsel triangles topping trees. 
Four fat faces full of fun. 
Five fitful fires flashing flames. 
Six shining sleds sliding slippery slopes. 
Seven sly sinners seeking Santa. 
Eight eager Eskimos eating eiderdown. 
Nine naughty nincompoops nodding nightly. 
Ten tired tenpins tottering together. 

For the first circle the hostess reads the -first sentence 
once. For the second ball read the first two sentences 
once. For the third ball read the first three sentences 
once. It follows that when the last is read each of the 



FOR JANUARY DAYS AND EVES 17 

others will have been heard a varying number of times. 
Read slowly and distinctly; but even with this care the 
game is a merry and difficult one. 

For the younger members of the family a moonlight or 
torchlight snowball fight is fun, with prizes for the best 
snow man or the biggest snowball. 

A New Year's Party 

The following rimed invitation could appropriately be 
used for the New Year's party : 

On New Year's Eve I'll be at my home, 
And hope that you will surely come; 
I'll look for you beyond a doubt, 
To help us watch the old year out. 

THE REMINISCENCE GAME 

The Reminiscence game is a good mixer for the begin- 
ning of the evening. Give each guest a number to be 
pinned on waist or coat, choosing odd numbers for the 
men and even for the girlsi. Prepare a number of slips as 
follows : " Find Number Six and tell her how you spent 
Fourth of July." " Tell Number Eight your most interest- 
ing adventure during the year." " Describe to Number 
Ten the most exciting baseball game which you witnessed." 
Distribute these to the young men, and allow five or ten 
minutes for the conversations. Then similar slips may be 
distributed to the girls, and each girl be sent some " Num- 
ber " to describe, for example, what she " wore on Easter 
Sunday," " the most enjoyable afternoon tea," etc. 

A CONTEST OF NEW YEAr's GIFTS 

A contest of New Year's gifts may then follow. Pro- 
vide a quantity of miscellaneous material, such as tissue 



i8 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

paper, cardboard ice cups, ribbon, seals, crepe paper, 
sachet powder, etc. Place these upon a table around 
which the men are to be seated. Let each man make a 
New Year's gift for a lady, choosing material from the 
pile. Allow fifteen or twenty minutes for the making of 
the gifts, after which they should be collected and 
wrapped. The ladies are then seated in a circle, and as 
the piano is played the gifts are passed from one to an- 
other. The music should stop suddenly, and each lady is 
then permitted to examine the gift which she holds. This 
she must do in such a manner that the article cannot be 
seen by the others. If she is pleased with it, she leaves 
the circle as the music is resumed; but if she prefers to 
take the chance of receiving a better gift, she re-wraps 
her parcel, and continues passing as before, until the 
music again ceases. This is continued until each lady 
has a gift. 

For the table decorations use as a centerpiece a cake 
lettered " [date of the new year] " and decorated with 
twelve candles. These latter should not be lit until the 
stroke of midnight. Little calendars, attached to cards 
cut in bell shape, may serve as place-cards, and directly 
over the table may be a " shower " of paper bells suspended 
from the chandelier by red ribbons of different lengths. 

Cakelets, in the form of an hourglass, watch, new leaf, 
date wafer and Father Time's scythe may all be made 
from any good cooky dough. Coloring paste is used for 
the icings and markings, or chocolate icing and white 
icing may be used as a contrast if desired. Father Time's 
scythe may be spread with melted chocolate and sprinkled 
with granulated sugar. The letters on the watch may be 
put on with a brush. A mixture of dry cocoa and 
granulated sugar dusted over half of the hourglass while 
the icing is moist makes a good imitation of sand. 



FOR JANUARY DAYS AND EVES 19 

A New- Year Futurist Party 

Instead of having an old-fashioned party, where the 
guests wear the costumes of fifty years ago, ask them to 
come in their conceptions of the costumes of fifty years 
hence. 

If one goes on the supposition that life will be scientifi- 
cally simplified, the following menu might be appropriate, 
served in paper plates and cups on a table spread with 
paper tablecloth and napkins. Have at each place a little 
menu card giving the scientific analyses of the refresh- 
ments, thus: 

Carbo- Total 

Protein hydrates Fat Calories 

Cup of Cocoa 24 156 d'j 247 

Two Wafers and Peanut Butter.. 33 222 iii 366 

More substantial refreshments might be served, if de- 
sired, carrying out the same idea. 

Decorations might be in futurist style, futurist pictures 
done on brown paper with crayons covering the framed 
pictures on the wall, and, encircling the room, a frieze on 
brown paper in extreme art nouveau style, placing it a 
little lower than the height of the guests' heads. 

Here are several suggestions for games that seem in 
keeping with the occasion: 

In the first, every person should be given a slip of paper 
on which each is told to write, after due deliberation, 
what he or she thinks will be extinct and but a memory 
fifty years from now. Collect these slips, shuffle, deal 
again. Request each one to read the slip drawn and 
suggest a suitable substitute for whatever was mentioned 
on the slip. For instance, if one slip reads " horses," " an 
automobile " is the obvious answer ; if one reads " the art 



20 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

of letter writing," the answer might be "poUte telephone 
conversation ; " but if the slip reads " beefsteak," the 
answer would be more of a problem. 

Another game along the same line of thought is to have 
each one tell what he thinks is the most necessary or 
desirable invention or discovery that can be made in the 
next fifty or a hundred years. 

Give a small prize to the one whose suggestion is de- 
cided by popular vote to be the best, and another to the 
one whose suggestion is the funniest. A three-minute 
glass for timing boiled eggs, a big glass marble for a 
crystal ball, and a pair of glasses for seeing into the 
future, would be elaborate enough for prizes. 

CONFETTI PICTURES 

The third game is the making of impromptu futurist 
pictures on small pieces of cardboard with confetti. 
Write on each card a subject for the picture, place on it a 
handful of colored confetti and a dab of library paste, 
and give one to each guest. Have a time limit of three 
mintites. Almost anything will do for names for the 
pictures — " Girl with Green Hat," " Sunset on the River 
Styx," " Man Paring an Apple," " Study in Still Life," 
etc. 

AEROPLANE RIDE 

Taking a ride in a flying machine is a lively diversion. 
Each candidate is blindfolded, then is assisted to step on a 
tableleaf, which rests on a strong box about six inches 
high, and directed to place his hands on the shoulders of 
a person standing in front of him, who acts as propeller. 
Then two assistants, one at each end of the tableleaf, lift 
it and rock it slightly, while the propeller slowly bends 
toward the floor. This gives the impression that the aero- 
plane is rising. 



FOR JANUARY DAYS AND EVES 21 

This is done to the accompaniment of an egg beater, 
which represents the whirr of the engine. In a few 
seconds the propeller calls : " Look out for the ceiling ! 
Jump ! " At the same time an assistant standing behind 
the candidate touches him on the head with a broom. 
The candidate, thinking he has hit the ceiling, jumps and 
as he is only about a' foot off the floor the result is laugh- 
able. Everybody enjoys the ride, and many want to 
ascend a second time. 



CHAPTER II 
FEBRUARY AFFAIRS 

When Cupid Is Host at Valentine Parties 

If you are planning to give a party on Saint Valentine's 
Day you can have a fine time by making it a " Hearty 
Party." I should select some very dainty valentine post 
cards and vi^rite the following two lines on them, inclosing 
them in envelopes before mailing; or use correspondence 
cards ornamented with gummed heart seals. 

On Saint Valentine's Day 
Will you come to my party? 

I'll see that you have 
A welcome right hearty. 

FORTUNE heart TREE 

If you cannot rent one of the small, artificially trimmed 
shrubs from a florist use a tiny fir tree. The pot or 
jardiniere should be concealed by a wide band of crepe 
paper decorated with hearts or cupids. The tree stands 
on a small table, the guests are blindfolded in turn and 
each plucks a heart from the tree, taking the first one he 
touches. The hearts are made of all colors, proportions, 
sizes and materials, and they are supposed to symbolize 
the sort of heart one will win. A sandpaper heart is 
labeled " Rough but Useful." There are soft hearts of 
cotton, warm hearts of red woolen, broken hearts of torn 
paper, heavy hearts of tea-lead, light hearts decorated 
with feathers, cold hearts (white hearts sprinkled with 



FEBRUARY AFFAIRS 



23 



diamond dust to represent frost), and sweet hearts of 
candy; while one heart is decorated with a sHce of lemon 
to symbolize its acidity. Some hearts are thin and stingy, 
but most of them are plump and generous, and while a 
few may be blue for sadness, or green for jealousy, far 
the larger majority should be rose-colored, yellow or 
orange. 

A HEART-SHOOTING CONTEST 

A Heart-Shooting Contest is fine. A cord is stretched 
between two points in the room and from it are hung by 
strings five cardboard hearts, ranging from two inches in 
diameter to ten inches. 

Each heart has a number on its face — the smaller 
hearts have the larger numbers and the larger hearts the 
smaller numbers. The hearts should be hung from the 
line about a foot apart. Each player in turn must stand 
six feet away from the row of hearts, and, with a small, 
soft-rubber ball, try to hit the hearts and make them swing. 
Each person may have ten trials. If a player wishes to 
try for the big hearts with the little numbers he or she 
may do so, or may aim for each heart in turn, or simply 
at the little hearts with the big numbers; for the object 
is to get as high a score as possible. It is surprising to 
find how easy it is to escape hitting a single heart, and 
yet, of course, if you are a pretty good shot you may hit 
every one. 

HITTING YOUR FORTUNE 

Another way to arrange this game is to provide six 
hearts of different colors. On the back of each heart is 
written a fortune in rime, and the game is called " Hit- 
ting Your Fortune." The fortunes correspond in a way 
to the colors of the hearts. That of the gilt heart says : 



24 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Good as gold and wealthy, too, 
Is the fortune meant for you. 

The red heart reads : 

Soon the fire of love will start 
Red and glowing in your heart. 

The blue heart says: 

Always loyal, always true, 
Is the fortune of the blue. 

The legend of the pink heart runs thus : 

Pink cheeks, blue eyes, light hair, 
Is the one your home to share. 

The green heart declares that 

Through the country, through the town. 
You will travel up and down. 

Lastly the purple heart prophesies : 

Crown of laurel, robe of fame. 
Means the purple in the game. 

No player must learn his fortune until the end of the 
contest, when each fortune is read off in turn. 

The prize for this may be a candy ball or a heart- 
shaped candy box filled with round candies like tiny balls. 



Entertaining Games With Pencils and Paper 

Get out pencils and paper next and try a few games. 
See who can draw the best heart with eyes shut. Then 
see who can draw the funniest face in a heart. After that 
let one person out of every four write a line which ends 
with the word " heart," and fold the paper over and pass 
it to his or her three neighbors for each to write a line 



FEBRUARY AFFAIRS 25 

which shall end with a word that rhymes with " heart." 
Thus some one may write : " I love candy with all my 
heart." Then the paper is folded over and passed on, 
and the next person may write : " I bought a little cur- 
rant tart." When every one has; written a rime those for 
each group of four should be read. There will be great 
fun over the ridiculous little rimes that result. 

HEAUT FRAME FOR PARTNERS 

For partners for refreshments I should use the " Heart 
Frame " idea. Partners are secured very much as if you 
were playing the old game of " Going to Jerusalem." A 
large heart-shaped frame covered with pink paper roses 
hangs over an ©Id sheet in which a hole is cut to fit the 
opening in the frame. The men take turns standing in 
front of the frame, while the girls march along behind 
the sheet to the strains of some popular love song. At 
the striking of a heavy chord the girl whose face is 
framed in the heart becomes the partner of the waiting 
man. 

Let the refreshments be " hearty " though light, for it 
always adds a pretty touch to have all sandwiches and 
little cakes made heart-shaped, and the ice cream may be 
served in heart-shaped ice cups which may be bought in- 
expensively. Carry the " hearty " idea all through, see 
that every one receives attention and has part in the good 
times, and your guests will long remember your " Hearty 
Party." 

Saint Valentine's Own Party 

The easiest invitation to prepare for a Valentine party 
is to paste a small red gummed heart sticker on a cor- 
respondence card and then write on the card this invita- 
tion rime: 



26 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

We'll celebrate Saint Valentine 

In a good old-fashioned way, 
With Cupids, hearts, and verse and rime 

So don't forget the day. 

Kindly old Saint Valentine appears at the party and 
wants everybody to find a pleasant companion and be 
happy. 

A clever way to find partners is arranged by cutting 
hearts out of stiff paper. From the center of each heart 
cut a key, the keys to be of different shapes. Give the 
keys to the girls and the hearts to the boys. Tell each 
boy to find the girl who holds the key to his heart. 

CLIPPING FORTUNES 

You will find one of the funniest games for Saint Val- 
entine's Day to be this original game of " Clipping For- 
tunes " : 

Make a number of little bags of cheesecloth or other 
material, place in each a spoonful of some " grocery " 
and attach to each the appropriate rime as given here. 
Stretch a line across the room and first suspend from it, 
by means of baby ribbon, the little bags suggesting for- 
tunes for the girls. Blindfold each girl in turn, give her 
a pair of scissors and let her clip her fortune. After 
the girls have finished finding and exclaiming over their 
fates, hang upon the line the fortune bags for the young 
men. 

VERSES FOR THE GIRLS 

A spinster you will surely be. 

So just console yourself with tea (Tea). 

You'll wed a man of sterling worth — 
The salt, as we would say, of earth (Salt). 



FEBRUARY AFFAIRS 27 

Your wedding bells will echo soon; 

Then heigh-ho! for the honeymoon (Rice). 

To wed a wise man is your fate, 

Which gift of sage doth indicate (Sage). 

A peppery mate you'll surely find, 

A man who likes to "speak his mind" (Pepper). 

You'll wed a farmer, it is plain 

And live amid the fields of grain (Cereal). 

To be a countess, you'll decide. 

And shine as an Italian's bride (Spaghetti), 

A gentleman you'll surely wed; 

Your better half will be well bred (Bread Crumbs). 

The one whose life you'll surely share. 

Quick tempered is, with bright red hair (Red Pepper). 

You soon will wed a man of " grit " ; 

That he has "sand" expresses it (Scouring Sand). 

An army man you'll choose, no doubt. 

The kind that will be mustered out (Mustard). 

By your choice all will be surprised; 

You'll wed an Indian civilized (Indian Meal). 

Note. — It would be well to put the pepper into a small bot- 
tle before putting it into the bags. 

VERSES FOR THE MEN 

Your happiness will be complete. 

For you will wed a maiden sweet (Sugar). 

You'll win a wife both good and wise. 

And in the world you'll surely rise (Baking Powder). 



28 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Great joy will surely be your dower, 
You'll find a bride fair as a flower (Flour). 

Your bride will know the cooking art; 

Her toothsome meals will win your heart (Meal). 

Quite capable your bride will be, 

For "ginger" means efficiency (Ginger). 

Your sweetheart's changeable, but nice; 
Variety's of life the spice (Spices). 

A learned spouse your life will crown. 

For she will come from Boston town (Beans). 

You'll surely win a dark brunette — 

A choice you never will regret (Chocolate). 

Devoted to the healing art, 

A woman doctor wins your heart (Herbs). 

A wealthy girl your bride will be, 

One well supplied with currants — see? (currency) (Dried 
Currants.) 

Your wife will scrub from morn till night, 

To keep your cottage clean and bright (Soap Powder) 

You'll be a bachelor, we know ; 

To coy young Cupid you'll say : "Go." (Sago.) 

Valentine School Party 

A novel Valentine party that would be especially good 
for a school social is conducted somewhat on the lines 
of the old " Poverty Party." When the guests have as- 
sembled they are suddenly startled by the appearance in 



FEBRUARY AFFAIRS 29 

their midst of half a dozen policemen with large hearts 
for badges, on each of which appear the words, " Love's 
Policeman." The guests are then arrested, one by one, 
for various offenses, and led before judges who are sta- 
tioned behind desks at the four sides of the room. The 
offenders, being found guilty, are fined and given receipts 
in the shape of small paper hearts, on each of which 
appears a figure indicating the amount paid to the judge. 
The offenses and fines may be like the following: 

For smiling at a girl or a fellow 2 cents 

For not smiling at a girl or a fellow 2 cents 

For winking 5 cents 

For laughing loudly 2 cents 

For not laughing 2 cents 

For being too quiet 2 cents 

For sparking 3 cents 

For looking as if you wished to be an old maid or a 

bachelor , 6 cents 

When the offenders hold receipts amounting to a cer- 
tain sum, say fifteen or twenty cents, they may then go 
to a personage who is called " The Clerk of Cupidity," 
where they will each receive, in exchange for their re- 
ceipts, a pretty souvenir heart marked " Immune," which 
frees them from further arrest. Pink hearts are used for 
the boys, while white hearts go to the girls. The " im- 
mune " heart also gives them the privilege of a visit to 
the Professor of Proposalosophy, who has for distribution 
two sets of hearts sealed individually in envelopes. The 
professor allows each person to draw one envelope. 

VERSES FOR FINDING PARTNERS 

The verses therein for finding partners are written or 
pasted on pink hearts for the gentlemen and white hearts 



30 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

for the ladies. Each pink heart corresponds to a white 
heart and both are lettered or numbered alike. 

When the couples are formed they are to proceed to the 
booth presided over by the Goddess of Spoonology, where 
dainty refreshments are served. Among other things a 
small dish of honey or something sweet is appropriate. 
Two spoons tied a foot or so apart by baby ribbon are 
given each couple, who are required to eat the honey from 
their dishes while the spoons are tied together. 



FOR THE LADIES 



Don't wait for him; 

Go while 'tis day, 
And search him out; 

He wants an A. 



He is not foolish; 

He has some sense left. 
He holds a heart 

With letter F. 



A " B," with pretty, 
Waving hair, 

Is buzzing for you 
Everywhere. 



He may frighten you. 

As he did me; 
His homely majesty 

I've marked with G. 



His smiling eyes 

Your charm will be; 
He's looking for 

Your letter C. 



Now, my young girl, 
Don't pass him by. 

He's a fine young man 
With letter I. 



If he is homely. 
Don't blame me. 

I've marked his heart 
With letter D. 



To the pretty boy 
Please don't say ' 

He's looking for 
A heart with J. 



Nay; 



He's nothing to brag of, 

As you will see. 
I've tagged him with 

The letter E. 



Go find his lordship; 

Homage pay. 
He wants a heart 

Which has a K. 



FEBRUARY AFFAIRS 



31 



Run, quick, 

For pretty things he'; 
You'll know him by 

The letter L, 

Oh ho, he's fine, 
Ah ha, ah hem ! 

He's looking for 
Your heart of M. 

The finest, miss, 

Of all the men 
Is he who holds 

A pretty N. 

I'm sure that this 
One thing I know: 

A brilliant boy 
Holds letter O. 

Don't miss this lad, 
Whate'er you do. 

He's just a dandy; 
His heart is Q. 

Sorrows will no 

Longer mar 
When you have found 

The heart with R. 

I know it. is 

An even guess : 
The best little boy 

Is tagged with S. 

A happy girl 
You sure will be 



If you win the heart 
tell; That holds a T. 

Loyal, upright, 

Handsome, true; 
The boy that's suited 

Just for U. 

I cannot help that 
He must homely be; 

I did my best 

When I tagged him V. 

His hair dark brown, 

His eye light blue. 
His heart is covered 

With W. 

Dear, sweet girl, he loves you 
Some fifty thousand pecks ; 

Go calm that fluttering heart of 
his. 
Which I have marked with X. 

Ruby lips 

And wistful eye, 
He longs to match 

His heart of Y. 

His heart is waiting, 

Miss, for thee; 
Already tagged 

With letter Z. 

Please call him " Honey," 

Not just " Hun." 
He's aching for 

Your heart of i. 



32 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 



Anyone as old 

As you 
Had better hurry 

To catch your 2. 

The lad who will 

Propose to thee 
Has in his heart 

A figure 3. 

He's pining for you 

More and more. 
So quickly ease 

His aching 4. 

The girls flock to him 
Like bees to a hive. 

You'd better hurry, 
And catch your 5. 

Dishes he washes, 
And bread he can mix ; 



The boy whose heart 
Contains a 6. 

Go find the boy 
Who oft has striven 

For fame and wealth. 
His heart is 7. 

Upright, noble 

And sedate. 
The boy whose heart 

Enjoys an 8. 

O, girl, make haste. 

The lad is fine 
Whose heart is measured 

By a 9. 

You may search, my Miss, 
O'er moor and fen; 

You'll find no better 
Than number 10. 



FOR THE GENTLEMEN 

Go, find a girl. Her heart unlocks 
And right away, With Cupid's key; 

Whose heart is marked You'll find it fits 
A pretty A. The letter D. 



A handsome girl 
You'll surely see. 

If you will find 
The letter B. 

She's tall and graceful 

As can be; 
You'll know her by 

The letter C. 



When you look on her face, 

Please do not flee. 
She's homely, I know; 

She's marked by E. 

F is the letter 

That she doth hold. 
She's tall and straight, 

And cruel, and bold. 



FEBRUARY AFFAIRS 



33 



She's mighty pretty, 

You will see; 
She has a heart 

Which holds a G. 

Awkward and gaunt, 

And rather high; 
You'll find her heart 

Has letter I. 

The prettiest girl, 

I'm sure you'll say. 
Is the one who holds 

A crooked J. 

And now I'm sure 

That you will say 
She's a handsome girl 

Who holds a K. 

You'll find a girl 

Both fine and well. 
And you will see 

She guards an L. 

Your girl most surely 

Is a gem, 
Don't miss the one 

With letter M. 

She's the pick and choice 

Of the upper ten. 
Go find the girl 

With letter N. 

She's the girl that's anxious 
For a beau. 



On her heart's engraved 
The letter O. 

She's charming, handsome, 

Bright and true. 
Her heart is calling 

For a Q. 

You cannot find, 

Though searching far, 
A better girl 

Than she with R. 

She cannot help 

Her homeliness ; 
She's good and true. 

And marked with S. 

Winning eyes 

And face you'll see. 
If you will search 

For heart with T. 

Her face is bright, 

Her eye is blue. 
Don't fail to find 

The heart with U. 

Happy, jovial. 

Gay and free 
Is the girl whose heart 

Is lettered V. 

Now, whatever else 

You do. 
Don't miss the girl 

With W. 



34 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 



No longer troubles 

Will perplex 
When you meet the girl 

Whom I've marked X. 

You cannot find, 

If long you try, 
A finer girl 

Than holds a Y. 

She's just as crazy 

As can be. 
Because her heart's 

A spoony Z. 

Her eyes are bright, 
She's full of fun; 

You'll know her by 
The number i. 

She's not as young, 
Perhaps, as you; 

Nor pretty, either, 
Is number 2. 

Graceful, loving, 

Happy, free. 
You'll find the girl 

With number 3. 

She's likely to be 
Quite a bore; 



You'll know her by 
The figure 4. 

The girl for whom 
You now must strive 

Is very handsome. 
With heart marked 5. 

Crabbed and cross, 
She sure will fix 

Any poor fellow 
Who gets her 6. 

Her tongue is long, 
To gossip given; 

Her heart is marked 
With number 7. 

A fine young girl. 
And sure first-rate; 

Her heart is yours, 
If you'll find the 8. 

The girl for whom 
You so much pine, 

Has a noble heart 
With figure 9. 

You are, my lad. 
The luckiest of men. 

If you find the sweet girl 
Whose heart is 10. 



PRETTY, PRACTICAL IDEAS 
Novel Admittance Fee 

At a " St. Valentine's Carnival " the price of admission 
was advertised as being dependent upon one's skill with 



FEBRUARY AFFAIRS 35 

" Cupid's arrow." To each guest was presented an 
"arrow" (in this case a gun shooting a rubber bah), and 
the guest was allowed to shoot at a target. If the bull's- 
eye was hit, the admission was free ; if the target was hit 
in the inner ring, five cents was charged; if in the outer 
ring, seven cents; and if the heart was missed entirely, 
ten cents. The average payments were about 6^^ cents. 
It was found that this scheme created a great deal of 
good-natured fun, and all had many a laugh at the un- 
skilled marksmen. 

A Unique Invitation 

Should you desire to make your own invitations the 
following verse would be appropriate, written on note 
paper decorated with Valentine seals : 

" The Sign-of-the-Heart is pleased to invite 
Your presence at eight on St. Valentine's Night; 
Hearts that are brave and loving and true 
Will be ready and waiting to welcome you. 
The password is LOVE, which alone has the power 
To gain you admittance to Cupid's bower." 

An immense red heart should be hung against the glass 
of the front door, significant of the .first line of the 
invitation. 

A Good Mixer 

The following plan was used with great success to 
" break the ice " : Two young girls with powdered hair 
and Valentine costumes, bearing trays of paper hearts, 
met the guests at the foot of the stairs. These hearts 
were each inscribed with a word suggesting some phase 
of sentiment peculiar to the season, such as Courtship, 
Bride, Marriage, Rice. One of these paper hearts was 



36 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

pinned to the back of each guest, and the guests were 
required to guess what their " labels " were by the conver- 
sation addressed to them by the other guests. The girl 
marked " Honeymoon " was asked : " Was it a happy 
one ? " " Where did you go ? " " Did he remember to 
buy two tickets instead of one?" Then she just had to 
think " Honeymoon." 

A Partner-Finder 

Partners for refreshments were secured in a novel way: 
The hostess had cut out large numbers of duplicate bird 
pictures — two robins, two wrens, etc. These had been 
pasted on cards and one put into each basket. One basket 
was passed to the boys and the other to the girls. Then 
ensued a merry hunt for mates. 

Heart March 

For this various sized hearts should be cut from different 
colored paper or cardboard. They should then be cut in 
half, putting one-half in a box for the gentlemen and the 
other half in a box for the ladies. When the music starts 
each gentleman selects half a heart from the gentlemen's 
box and each lady half a heart from the ladies' box. All 
march in a circle about the room. Suddenly the music 
stops. The announcement has previously been made that 
the gentlemen on the outside of the circle remain standing 
while the ladies move up one to the next partner. When 
'the young man finds he is marching with the young lady 
who has the other half of the heart which matches his they 
retire from the circle. The marching continues until all 
have matched hearts. 



FEBRUARY AFFAIRS 37 

Cutting the Heart String 

Another form of amusement which will be enjoyed is 
to tie a large pasteboard heart to a string and suspend it 
from a chandelier. Blindfold one of the guests and give 
him a pair of scissors, turn him around three times and 
tell him to cut the string holding the heart. For the one 
who is able to do this, a prize in the form of a pretty 
Valentine would be appropriate. 

Bubbling Hearts 

Another form of entertainment is to suspend from a 
portiere pole three hearts made of wire and covered with 
green tissue paper. Over the first place the words: 

" Blow your bubble right through here 
And you'll be married before another year." 

Over the second : 

" To be engaged this very week 
Number Two is the one to take," 

And over the third : 

" A sad, and awful fate awaits the one who seeks me 
For he or she will ever a spinster or bachelor be." 

The idea is to make soap bubbles and throw the bubbles 
off the pipes and try to blow them with fans through the 
wire hearts. 

Heart-Strings 

A novel idea for the selection of partners is to give the 
gentlemen present balls of string, on the end of which is 
tied a cardboard heart. A sheet is suspended in the door- 
way, the gentlemen on one side and the ladies on the 
other, and each man throws the heart over the sheet and 



38 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

the lady whom it touches writes her name on the heart; 
the gentleman afterward claims her as his partner for 
refreshments. 

Target-Game 

To make the target, use heavy white cardboard 24 
inches wide and 29 inches long. Tack one end to a 
wooden strip so it can be hung upon the wall or in an 
opening. 

Decorate this paper with two red hearts two inches in 
size, one in each corner, at the top. In the center, be- 
tween them, place a red cupid three inches long. Below 
these, in the space between the hearts and the cupid, place 
two hearts of one and one-half inches. In the center of 
the paper put a four-inch red heart. Cut out of white 
paper a heart two and one-quarter inches in length and 
place it upon the large heart, then place a two-inch red 
heart upon this. Put a cupid on each side of this, near 
the edge of the board. 

Place two one and one-half-inch hearts in good posi- 
tions below, then three two-inch hearts, one in each corner 
and one in the middle. The hearts are all numbered. 
Any number may be used, say twenty-three for the center 
heart. The bow and arrow may be purchased inexpen- 
sively. The guests take turns. 

A pretty Valentine, suggestive of the game, may be 
used as the prize. 

Where's Your Heart? 

The players sit in a circle, and the first one says to his 
left-hand neighbor: " Where's your heart? " The neigh- 
bor replies by saying anything he pleases ; such as : " My 
heart is in the deep blue sea." The one who asks the 
question must now add a line which rimes; as, for in- 



FEBRUARY AFFAIRS 39 

stance : " It doesn't matter much to me." Then the one 
who gave the first line of the jingle turns to his neighbor, 
asking : " Where's your heart ? " The fun goes around 
the circle, and the more nonsensical the rimes the more 
amusement. 

Valentine Auction 

Another game that is good fun is a Valentine Auction. 
Request each guest to bring to the party a valentine, each 
boy addressing his " To My Lady," and each girl, " To 
My Cavalier." These valentines should be placed in a bag 
in the hall. After all the guests have arrived, some person 
disguised as Saint Valentine should enter the room. An 
appropriate costume consists of a long cloak, a w^hite 
beard and a skullcap. He brings with him the sack of 
valentines, and proceeds to auction them off. All sorts 
of bids can be made, such as the promise of a box of 
bonbons, the bidder's share of ice cream later in the 
evening, etc. Saint Valentine decides which bid is the 
best, and gives the valentine to the successful bidder. 

Cooing Doves 

The Cooing Doves was the most laughable affair. The 
company was divided into two parts, men on one side, 
girls on the other. Each side was then given numbers to 
correspond with the other. As the hostess called out the 
numbers those bearing the same from both sides came for- 
ward and cooed. 

Wheel of Fortune 

The wheel should be made of cardboard with a wooden 
base. Around the edge of the wheel on both sides should 
be rows of colored hearts, all colors. A boy should stand 



40 TH-E BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

on one side of the wheel and a girl on the other. Each 
should take a turn. The occupation indicated on the heart 
where the arrow stops should be acted out by each one 
for the rest of the company to guess. For instance, if 
the girl picks out a heart which reads " You will be a 
seamstress," she must begin to sew industriously until the 
company guesses her occupation. 

Four Good Fun Makers 

A novel game indulged in at a Valentine party required, 
besides the symbolical decorations, only a tube of photo- 
grapher's paste, a few pairs of scissors and a pile of the 
advertisement pages of some of the current magazines. 
Each player was required t-o compose a love poem, a love 
telegram or a love story of six lines, using only words 
cut from advertisements and pasted on a blank sheet of 
paper. A prize was given for the cleverest result. 

Making Valentines is also a pleasant way in which to 
pass the time. Provide a number of small pictures, lace 
paper and cards, asking each one present to make a 
valentine, directing it to some one in the party whose 
name has been drawn. When m«ade, they are placed in 
envelopes and delivered to the parties to whom they are 
addressed. If one is clever enough to write little verses 
on the valentine, much fun may be created. 

Next, you might blindfold the guests in turn, giving 
them a piece of chalk or pencil with which to draw the 
outline of a heart on a chart hung on the wall, and write 
his or her name inside. The one making the best attempt 
should be rewarded. 

A heart should be pinned or drawn in the centre of a 
sheet, surrounded by several rings. Each player is given 
five chances to pin paper hearts upon the heart fastened 



FEBRUARY AFFAIRS 41 

to the sheet. The heart counts one hundred, the rings 
five, ten and twenty-five each. The players, of course, 
are blindfolded. Scores are added to ascertain the winner. 

Picnic Refreshments 

A unique plan is to serve the refreshments in picnic 
baskets large enough to hold a lunch for two, which might 
consist of two minced ham sandwiches, two lettuce sand- 
wiches, four small sweet pickles, two bananas, four pieces 
of cake (two kinds), two small fancy cakes and some 
salted peanuts. Each article should be wrapped sepa- 
rately in oiled paper. To the handle of the basket tie 
with red ribbon a red-paper heart, in the center of which 
is pasted the menu : 

Picnic Stand-bys 

Rabbit Food 

Schoolboy's Delight 

The YeUow Peril 

Sinkers 

Floral Frappe 

Mud and Snow 

The first five articles are from the paragraph above. 
The Floral Frappe is ice cream served in the smallest-size 
flowerpots lined with wax paper. The Mud and Snow is 
chocolate with whipped cream served in ordinary teacups. 
With each basket should be passed two cardboard plates 
and paper napkins. 

Valentine Menu 

The following refreshments suggestive of Valentine 
sentiment might be served on heart-shaped trays made of 
cardboard covered with red paper : 



42 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Creamed Chicken in Heart Timbales 

"Heart Beet" Salad Rolls 

Cofifee 

Ice Cream in Heart Molds 

Kisses 

Heart-Shaped Cakes 

Heart-Clapping 

To start an evening's fun this suggestion for forfeits is 
jolly. Hang on the walls of your room as many hearts 
cut out of red or gold paper as you have guests, minus 
one. Have your guests join hands and circle to some 
bright music. In a moment stop the music and have 
each rush to cover a heart with his hand. Of course one 
will be left out, and he or she must give a forfeit. Then 
take away one heart and have the others continue the 
ring-around. Keep this up until all the hearts are taken 
down and all have given forfeits. Now comes the re- 
deeming of the pledges, and this should be done by having 
each one sing a love song, or contribute in some other 
appropriate way to the evening's entertainment. 

Lost Identity 

If you should be entertaining, on Saint Valentine's 
night a group of married couples an interesting game is 
"Lost Identity, or Whom Did She Marry?" Each lady 
writes on a slip of paper her maiden name and her hus- 
band's name. The maiden names are made into a list and 
the guests are asked to tell whom each one married. 
Reading the answers aloud creates much mirth, for who 
can say whether " Miss Elizabeth Ellen Smith " is now 
" Mrs. Henry Alfred Brown " or " Mrs. William James 
Jones " ? 



FEBRUARY AFFAIRS 43 

Rimes for Place Finding 

Write the first couplet on a card and hand it to a guest 
in the living room. The completing couplet will be found 
at one's place at table. 

Many times I've wondered 

If love is a worthwhile game; 

So I'm writing to you, Mr. Cupid, 
To see if you think the same. 

I'm sending my love to you C. O. D. 
The payment expected 

Is your heart, 
Do you see? 



The northwest corner of my heart 
Doesn't know what to do, 

As the southeast other part of it 
Surely belongs to you. 



Cupid is a naughty boy, 
For he'll steal your heart 

And he will treat it as a toy, 
And then make it smart. 



I'm sure you have a dozen hearts, 
Each filled with friendly fun. 

For there's not room for all your arts 
To be combined in one. 



O, lady fair, your grace I pray 
For this I know not how to say. 



44 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

But Cupid by his blest design 
Has made of me your Valentine. 



My love's a fire that's stood, you know, 
The test of long endurance. 

But you, dear chilly Valentine, 
Must carry fire insurance. 



Don't be scared at Cupid's aim — 
Two can play at Cupid's game. 

Oh, how happy I will be, 

If you'll say you'll play with me ! 



Here I wait behind the gate, 
My heart is fond and true; 

At Cupid's shout I will come out, 
A Valentine for you. 



Now, little Suffragette, when you 
All hopes of votes resign. 

Suppose you settle down and be 
A voter's Valentine. 



Whene'er I meet a maiden 
That I think is meant for me, 

That stubborn maid, persists, somehow, 
In thinking differently. 



Doctor says my heart has failed, 
And I have Cupid's fever. 



FEBRUARY AFFAIRS 45 

If this is true, then I'll have you 
Appointed its receiver. 



Pardon me; but, with Cupid's permission, 
I'm sending you just a line; 

To say, in defiance of all opposition, 
You must be my Valentine. 



Since love is blind. 
Thou canst not see 



How much I am in 
Love with thee. 



Remember ! Even though 
Love is blind, 

A beau in sight 

Is worth two in mind. 



Narcissus whispered " I love you." 
To his own face in the pool. 

Had you been there I do not think 
He'd been such a stupid fool. 



Please tell me if 
I have a chance 

To be the " man " 
In your romance. 

The Sea of Matrimony 

The Sea of Matrimony centerpiece, writh its lighthouses 
to warn one off the rocks, is a novel way to conceal the 



46 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

shower gifts for a bride, or to hold fortunes to be fished 
for at the Valentine Party. 

The place-card shows Cupid fishing, and the ice is served 
in heart-decorated sailboats. 

If you wish to use the centerpiece as a fortune holder, 
write the rimes on cards cut fish shape, and attach to the 
fishing rods. 

This is all made of paper. Paper leaves on wires form 
a background. The sea is a deep pan covered with 
parafiin paper. At the end of the fishing lines are small 
shower gifts or fortunes written on fish-shaped cards. 
The poles are made of heavy wires bound with brown 
paper. The lighthouses are made of gray crepe paper 
outlined in black, with red hearts put on in place of win- 
dows. The stones are made of newspaper covered with 
gray crepe. 

The sailboats are ice cups mounted on heart-shaped 
bases. Tiny red hearts decorate the sails. 

The Sea-of-Matrimony Fortunes 
for young ladies 

Oh, maiden, tears drop from my eyes. 

As I foretell your fate: 
Your soul mate will wear purple ties. 

And hairless is his pate. 

You are a girl who's hard to suit, 
You're looking for wealth and brains to boot; 
But you'll finally marry a brain ful fop, 
With nice pink cheeks and a curly mop. 

There's a mild and timid youth 

Who loves you with devotion. 
But how to speak the fateful words 

He never has a notion. 



FEBRUARY AFFAIRS 47 

But now the next time he comes 'round, 

The stars say, as a fact, 
You can get a useful husband 

If you'll use a little tact. 

I see a rich but homely man 

In a most romantic pose, 
He's longing to give you an automobile, 

And heaps and heaps of clothes — 
If you stand his brick-red hair, 

And forget his turned up nose. 

There's a young and gentle fellow. 

His hair is soft and yellow, 

And he's ladylike in all his little ways. 
His face is round and chubby, 
And he'll make a well-trained hubby. 

And he'll love you till the ending of your days. 

You*soon will meet your chosen mate; 

You'll know him by these signs : 
He always wears a pair of socks. 

And every day he dines. 

There's a nice young fellow waiting 

Just for you ; 
He would like to pop the question, 

If he knew 
That you would always look 
Like a picture in a book, 
Though you wash and sew and cook. 

Will he do? 

FOR YOUNG MEN 

I see a maid with golden hair, 
I see another with haughty air. 
The third is gifted beyond compare. 



48 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

The fourth one has an icy stare. 
They all seem bent on having you ; 
You're in an awful mess; 
If you think I'm going to help you out, 
You have another guess. 

Poor fellow ! Cease to smile on girls ; 
Know, e'er it is too late. 
Not one of them will marry you — 
Bachelorhood is your fate. 

When seven months, and seven weeks, and seven days have 

passed, 
The affinity you're looking for will come to you at last. 
You'll know her, for she always wears a hat upon the street ; 
And even in the house she has two shoes upon her feet. 

An awful fate I see for you; 

Young man, prepare for trouble! 
A maiden has her eye on you ; 

Your bills will soon be double. 

FOR ANYONE 

Two months and one week from this very night 

You'll go to bed, but you won't sleep tight, 
A ghostly chill will creep down your spine, 
A bony hand will hold out this sign : 
" You're dreaming ! " 

In just about a day or two 

A dreadful thing will come to you. 

As o'er your book you pore. 
Your very blood will seem to freeze; 
Fainting, you'll fall upon your knees, 

And grovel on the floor. 
If I told all of it, I know 
You'd drop right on this spot — and so 

I'll not tell any more. 



FEBRUARY AFFAIRS 49 

Your luckiest day is Thursday; 

Your happiest month is May; 

Your sorrow will come from a trusted friend, 

Your life will be always gay. 

If you will give me fifty cents, 

More intimate things I'll say. 

If you wish to obtain your heart's desire, 

Just follow my advice : 
Catch two small toads, one spider black 

And five young juicy mice; 
Cook all these well ; and, on going to bed, 

Take a teaspoonful on ice. 

These signs can never me deceive, 

If you doubt me, listen, and you'll believe : 

They say that you sometimes use your brain, 

That your clothes get wet when you're in the rain, 

That with your butter yoU' eat bread. 

That you wear a hat upon your head. 

If these things are not strictly true, 

I'll give up my art — and my living too ! 

The fate I see in store for you 

I'd really hate to tell, 
Unless my occult power gave 

The antidote as well. 
All harmful things will pass you by 
And only joy attend you, 
If this powerful charm each day you say: 
" Odds goggei-dy blick, zu-zend du ! " 



CHAPTER III 

FOR LINCOLN'S AND WASHINGTON'S 
BIRTHDAYS 

As both Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays are now 
generally celebrated all over the country as legal holidays, 
why not combine the two events and give a " Presidents' 
Party " ? This happy combination in entertaining in 
honor of these two worthy gentlemen will give us any 
number of excuses for mixing our ideas, and we may 
reproduce a custom of sixty years ago with one of more 
than a hundred years ago and feel quite complacent over 
the arrangement. 

There is one custom, however, that has been kept up 
since the time of Washington, into which those of us who 
are well and happy enter as heartily as did those two 
Presidents when circumstances permitted them to observe 
it, and that is the enjoyment of eating a good meal. All 
of us meet there on common ground. So your Presidents' 
Party may begin with an old-fashioned supper if you wish. 

An Old-Fashioned Supper 

Write the invitations on ruled paper of legal size, fold 
the sheets, and seal them with wax, as was the custom in 
the days before envelopes were used. 

If you have ability ta draw, it would be a pretty idea to 
reproduce in miniature, on her place-card, the silhouette 
of each lady present, not adding the name. 
SO 



LINCOLN'S, WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAYS 51 

Then I should serve my confections in the form of 
favors. Place on a small lace-paper doily four chocolate 
creams, set as the four corners of a log-cabin foundation, 
in which are slightly imbedded the first of the short candy 
" rails " used for the structure. 

For a centerpiece I suggest a George Washington cake ; 
the candles are alternately red and white. The cherries 
may be candied ones stuck on both ends of a strong broom 
straw, bent in the center, to which is wired securely 
artificial foliage, of either muslin or paper. 

The supper should be served a short time after the 
guests arrive. It should be old-fashioned, with everything 
on the table except the dessert. 

Keeping in mind the menu of former days, the fol- 
lowing dishes might be served: 

Raw Oysters on the Half Shell 

Fried Chicken 

Warm Biscuits Cold Virginia Ham 

Lettuce Salad Garnished With Sliced 

Hard-Boiled Eggs 

Cheese 

Frozen Custard Pound Cake 

Tea and Coffee 

Frozen custard was the " ice cream " of Lincoln's day. 

Supper over, ask the guests to the drawing room, where 
the following game may be played: 

Pin upon the wall a large colored picture of the White 
House, which is obtainable in postcard shops at little cost 
and will serve as a prize, with as many three-yard lengths 
of narrow tape depending from the entrance as there are 
guests. Give to each player a pair of scissors, and at the 
word " Go ! " let all start splitting the tape lengthwise 
along the center, the first to reach the goal receiving as a 
prize the framed picture of the White House. 



52 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

A " Cherry Party " 

A " Cherry Party " is Washingtonian, of course. The 
boys and girls will like these variations of two old games, 
I know. The first is " Shake the Cherry Tree." Some 
one is chosen to be " it," is blindfolded and stands in the 
middle of the ring formed by the other players, who circle 
about him or her, chanting this doggerel: 

Oh, here's a tree of cherries ripe, 

A tree both green and tall. 
We'll shake it now with all our might 

Until the cherries fall. 

As the last words are spoken one of the players steps 
out of the ring and gently shakes the " tree," who then 
guesses who it was that did the shaking. If the " tree " 
guesses correctly the other takes his or her place; if not, 
the chant and the shaking are repeated until the right 
guess is made. 

CHOPPING DOWN THE CHERRY TREE 

" Chopping Down the Cherry Tree " is the second game. 
The hostess volunteers to be " it," for the game is a new 
one and she will have to explain it to the others. She 
stands in the center of the ring formed by the other 
players, and as they slowly circle about her she tells the 
story of George Washington and his hatchet, and at each 
mention of the " hatchet " all the players except the 
hostess drop down on one knee. The hostess has a stick 
or cane with which she raps on the floor three times 
whenever she says " hatchet," and if any one fail to 
reach a kneeling position -before the third rap he or she 
must take the hostess's place. 

To decorate your table for the " Cherry Party " place a 
small tree loaded with candied cherries in the center, and 



LINCOLN'S, WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAYS 53 

from it to each place stretch a red ribbon to which is 
fastened a little basket filled with cherry candies. 

Simple refreshments are served, such as minced-ham 
or currant-jelly sandwiches, cocoa, plain cake or jelly-roll 
and cherry ice, 

A Hatchet Party 

We don't usually send our friends hatchets when we 
want them to share our hospitality, but this paradoxical 
proceeding may be excused on the ground that connec- 
tion of the hatchet wnth the memory of our revered Wash- 
ington stands not for war, but for the peace of mind that 
comes from sticking to the truth. 

Write your invitation on hatchet shaped cards deco- 
rated with a Washington seal. Sometimes these may be 
purchased in the shops in February, and bear the couplet : 

" In honor of George Washington, the Father of Our Nation, 
I've planned to entertain my friends, and here's your invita- 
tion." 

THE GAME OF " TRUTH " 

By-the-by, why not try the " Game of Truth " at your 
Washington party? It is remarkable how often we use 
expressions we do not mean. 

Cut from magazines pictures to illustrate familiar ex- 
pressions like the following, which are commonly used and 
easy to illustrate. Place the pictures around the room and 
let the company guess the expressions they represent. 
Parts of different pictures may have to be used together 
to work out the idea: 

"Her eyes fell to the floor." (Picture of a girl whose eyes 
have been cut out and are falling to the floor.) 

" She took a chair." (Picture of a lady carrying a chair.) 
" She went all to pieces." (A lady used in a fashion 



54 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

magazine may be cut into several pieces, all the pieces being 
pasted on the same sheet of paper.) 

"She hung on his arm." (Picture of a man with arm out- 
stretched, with figure of a lady hanging over the arm.) 

" She opened her heart." (A girl holding a red heart cut 
down the center.) 

"They ran across a lady." (Picture of two people in an 
automobile, going over a lady.) 

" She took a train." (A lady having a train of cars in her 
arm.) 

" She devoured a book." (Picture of a girl holding a book 
to her mouth, with several pieces "bitten" out.) 

"She boarded a car." (Picture of a girl nailing boards on 
a car.) 

"He took her hand." (Picture of a man holding the hand 
of a lady, while she stands with one hand cut off.) 

"She drank in the music." (Picture of a woman with 
mouth open, swallowing notes coming from a violin.) 

" She burst into tears." (Picture of a woman cut in pieces, 
large tears falling from the pieces.) 

"He met the train." (Picture of a train hitting a man.) 

" She caught the boat." (Woman wading in water, catch- 
ing one end of a boat.) 

MARTHA'S HAT STUNT 

To Start the merriment at the Washington party the 
hostess will find that the wearing of " Martha's hat " 
serves the purpose admirably. She should prepare the hat 
from an old, summer straw hat. A little chiffon and a 
few artificial leaves are used for part of the trimming, but 
the feature is a garland of candied cherries. Make them 
up in little bunches, securing each one to a piece of linen 
thread, A large knot in. one end, and the thread put 
through the cherry with a needle, will hold it in place. 
The hostess should wear this when she greets the guests. 
Pleasant comment on her cherry hat will begin from the 



LINCOLN'S, WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAYS 55 

start, and after all have arrived and put away their wraps 
and hats, the hostess, still wearing her " Martha's hat," 
will explain that it proves history is not always correct 
in details. 

" Washington did not chop down the cherry tree," she 
may say, " but allowed it to grow for just this emergency. 
After he married the fair Widow Custis she promptly de- 
manded a new hat, but he told her to trim over her old 
one, and brought her these cherries." The hostess should 
then reach up and pick a couple of the candied cherries 
and eat them, whereupon there will be a merry rush for 
that hat, and the " trimming " will soon have been de- 
voured and every one will be in quite the proper spirit for 
the party. 

WHO KNOWS IT? 

For another merry feature suddenly produce a large box 
of confectionery bearing a likeness of Washington on the 
cover and ornamented with red, white and blue and a 
hatchet or some cherries. Open the box and enlist every 
one's interest. Then announce: 

" This patriotic box of George Washington bonbons 
will be given as a prize to whoever is able to recite the 
greater part of the Declaration of Independence." 

This seldom fails to create both interest and laughter, 
and it is surprising how few young people can remember 
much beyond "When, in the course of human events, it 
becomes necessary " ; then they stop and wonder what 
it was that became necessary. There is generally no end 
of shouting and laughter as one after another the guests 
struggle to remember, and fail. 

THE LIFE OF WASHINGTON 

" The Life of Washington " as told by his personal be- 
longings is a new game you may enjoy trying: 



56 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

A tale of Washington I tell 

A story all should heed, 

That each from such a man as this 

Could take his (queue) indeed. 

A well of wisdom was his mind, 
One could not (pump) it dry- 
To (ruffle) his unclouded mien, 
'Twere vain indeed to try. 

As boy he (sword) above his mates 
As man, unrivaled, he ! 
When others failed in plot or plan 
He'd (hatchet) out, you see. 

Before he rose to first command 
He'd (buckle) to his work, 
A (stock) of patience helping him 
To scorn his task to shirk. 

The farmers, brown with (coat) of tan, 
Left fields and rakes and (hose). 
To follow Washington to war 
And fight until its (clothes). 

To valor he would seek to (spur) 
And kindly words he spoke ; 
Beneath a calm, courageous mien 
No coward thought he'd (cloak). 

His countrjTTien rejoiced to (vest) 

In him an office high ; 

Quoth he "What (boots) though war is done? 

I'll serve you till I die." 

Thus lived and died <Seorge Washington 
A man whom all admire 
A record of whose deeds you'll find, 
By searching his attire. 



LINCOLN'S, WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAYS 57 

A Washington's Birthday Social 

The invitations for the Washington's Birthday Social 
may be written on cards decorated with flag seals. The 
following verse would be appropriate: 

You're herewith asked to celebrate, 
George Washington, the father great. 
By coming to his birthday fete. 
On next at stroke of eight. 

A pin in the form of a hatchet should reward the one 
whose list has the greatest number of correct answers. 
These pins are to be found in shops in February. 

The guests may be invited to help cut down the cherry 
tree. For this purpose the outline of a tree may be drawn 
on card-board or cloth and pinned to the wall. Blindfold 
each guest in turn, giving him or her a card-board hatchet. 
Each person may make an attempt tq strike a niche in the 
tree trunk and the most successful contestant should re- 
ceive a hatchet shaped box of bonbons. 

mixed quartettes 

Next, slips may be distributed to the guests, each slip 
bearing a number and the name of a patriotic song, there 
being four slips numbered and named alike. It should 
then be announced that a pleasant musical program has 
been prepared, but unfortunately no one notified the per- 
formers themselves what was expected of them. How- 
ever, it may be added, " that this is a trifling matter." 
The four guests holding similar slips are then requested 
to form a quartet and sing the song assigned to them. It 
is well to have several music books in readiness in case the 
songs are not familiar. A prize should reward the quar- 
tet whose renditions are voted the best, and this prize 



58 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

may appropriately be a box of bonbons which the four 
may enjoy together. 

CHARACTERISTIC EXPRESSIONS 

For the next contest each young man may be assigned 
the role of a president of the United States, or a great 
statesman. He should then be addressed by his neighbor 
and must introduce in his reply or conversation a favorite 
saying of the person that he represents. For example : a 
lady may address her neighbor, " Good evening. This is 
Mr. Cleveland, I believe," but the gentleman politely re- 
plies, " Excuse me, madam. This is not a square deal, as 
I do not have the pleasure of your acquaintance." Where- 
upon she at once recognizes the fact that he impersonates 
President Roosevelt. She is not allowed a second trial, ■ 
however, but must try her fortune with another guest. 
Instead of characteristic remarks, political slogans iden- 
tified with the various campaigns may be used. 

For refreshments serve cakes decorated with cherries, 
cherry ice and fruit punch. 

A PARTNER-FINDING GAME 

As the host brings in a small evergreen tree decorated 
with English walnuts he may remark facetiously that so 
many cherry trees have , been chopped down he is obliged 
to substitute a walnut tree. 

The kernels have been removed and in their place are 
small trinkets and little rimes with numbers attached. 
A ribbon is passed through the walnut shell which is care- 
fully glued together again. The walnuts for the young 
men are tied to the tree witlx green ribbon, and those for 
the young women are tied with red ribbon. Each guest 
takes one of the walnuts from the tree and opens it. Then 
the hostess calls out : " Number One," at which the young 



LINCOLN'S, WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAYS 59 

man and woman possessing that number step forward. 
The young man repeats his rime first and his partner re- 
plies. 

The first S'hell contains a bone ring such as is used in 
fancywork. 

I — The first and quite fearless, I stand alone; 
My shell contains a ring of bone, 

I have one here also, I show it with pride ; 
It gives me the pleasure to stand by your side. 

2 — Alas, alack ! a fortune black ; 
I nothing find but a cruel tack. 

I'll share your fate, for I have one too, 
We'll cheerily smile and make no ado ; 

3 — I'm looking for a girl to match 

This cunning little, bright-red patch. 

The patch I have of warmest hue; 
It tells me that I'll go with you, 

4 — A bit of shell my vision greets, 
To get me a partner for the " eats." 

Ah me! what luck; for here you see 

This shell placing me where I want to be. 

5 — Oh, where, oh, where is the dear little bell. 
Like this one that faces me herp in my shell ? 

Ting-a-ling, ting-a-long, I have it, of course ; 
Don't you hear it ring out with all of its force? 

6 — I look and I look and I see but a pin ; 

'Twill bring me no partner ; I think it's a sin. 

Why it brings you to me, and that is good luck ; 

It brings more of joy than you'd hoped to have struck. 

7 — ^Here is mystery, a quaint little key; 
I hold it aloft so all may see. 



6o THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

I see by the sign that the witches decree 
That you and I are together to be. 

8— The last on the list and a doll black as coal — 
My partner, I know, for there's left but one soul. 

Well, everyone knows, though we're last we're not least, 
And we'll have full share in this merry sprites' feast. 

Patriot Party Invitation. — The invitations, for a patri- 
otic party may be written on cards decorated with tiny 
gummed seals which are obtainable in any of the following 
designs: Flag; Shield; Liberty Bell; Uncle Sam's Hat; 
Red, White and Blue Star. 

A Patriots' Party I've designed, 
And so I hope you'll keep in mind 
That I am now inviting you, 
To hail the Red, the White and Blue. 

OUR COLORFUL BOUQUET 

A bowl filled with red roses and blue and white corn- 
flowers is appropriate as a centerpiece, and at each plate 
may be placed as a favor a red, white and blue bouquet 
composed of cornflowers and red rosebuds. Strictly 
United States dishes may be served and these may include 
baked beans, brown bread, scalloped oysters, corn muffins 
and ice cream. 

A WASHINGTON MENU 

Old Virginia Sandwiches: Combine sweet-potato pulp, 
ground ham, hard-cooked eggs and thick cream. Spread 
between slices of bread about two inches square. 

Tories: For these sandwiches use triangular slices of 
bread with a paste made of cheese, tomato paste and a 



LINCOLN'S, WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAYS 6i 

dash of red pepper. Spread a thin layer also over the top 
of each. 

National Balls : Dip mafshmallows in white icing, and 
roll some in grated cocoanut, some in chopped cherries 
and some in crystallized violet crumbs. 

United States Punch: Use equal parts of cherry and 
pineapple juice. Serve in blue cups with marshmallows 
floating on the surface. 

Pride of the Regiment: Bake any good cake batter in 
round baking-powder cans. Cut into slices about two 
inches thick and cover with icing. Decorate the outside 
of each with stripes and bands in red and blue, with vege- 
table coloring, to stimulate the appearance of a drum. 
Remove the centers from these cakes and fill with cherry 
ice cream. Further to carry out the drum effect make 
drumsticks of tiny sticks of candy capped with candied 
cherries and lay them across the tops of the " drums." 

EYES, FINGERS AND MEMORIES FOR THESE 

An interesting game is a distribution of cards contain- 
ing dates of historic happenings; the events are to be 
guessed. A few dates are well-known, but the majority 
of them will not be so easily recalled by most of those 
present. 

The " group " idea is always good for entertaining a 
large number of people. For the following Geography 
Game divide the guests into groups from five to fifteen 
each, giving each group the name of a county. These 
groups elect a " Governor " who controls the coming con- 
test. Give each person a piece of paper and have him 
draw from memory a map of his county and place on it 
five towns in his county. It will be found that nearly 
every one has forgotten the lay of it or has never pai4 



62 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

attention to it. The " Governor " will pin the maps in a 
conspicuous place, so that all may be examined and com- 
pared with the map showing everything correctly. Suit- 
able prizes could be awarded for the best results shown. 

Guessing Historic Pictures is an interesting game. For 
this game use about fifty miniature prints of historic 
scenes. Cut off the descriptive line from each one and 
pin the pictures up in plain sight around the walls of the 
room, letting the company write down what each picture 
represents. 



CHAPTER IV 
LEAP-YEAR PARTIES 

These parties may appropriately be given any time 
throughout the year. 

Either one of these two forms of invitation w^ould be 
novel : 

'Tis leap year, as you doubtless know; 
The calendar has told you so. 
'Tis this one year and this alone 
The ladies call their very own. 
Below you'll see the hour and date, 
So come and help us celebrate. 

One year in four 

The girls adore; 

'Tis leap year, as you know ; 

So be my guest, 

To laugh and jest 

Upon the date below. 

The twenty-ninth is almost here. 
The extra day that makes leap year, 
On this day things are turned askew, 
And so a maid will call for you. 
She'll bring you to this home of ours, 
Where valentines and hearts and flowers 
Will help to while the time away. 
Till midnight's chime doth end the day. 
Then you must take the maiden home. 
For leap-year sprites no longer roam. 
63 



64 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

To make fun at a Leap Year party the following is sug- 
gested: The ladies are ushered into a room destitute of 
toilet accessories save for one tiny, lonesome mirror and 
a pair of military brushes. Posted conspicuously about 
are the following notices: "Remember at All Times the 
Deference Due to the Sterner Sex." " No Lady Will 
Remain Seated While a Gentleman is Standing." " In 
All Acts Conduct Yourself Tonight as on Other Nights 
You Would Wish a Gentleman to Conduct Himself To- 
ward You." 

The gentlemen find themselves in a dainty room where 
wraps and overshoes are removed by an attendant, a stal- 
wart young man in cap and apron. The dressing-table is 
weighted down with a multiplicity of powder-puffs, 
brushes, combs, perfumes, pins, etc. The notice posted 
reads : " You are Expected to Receive With Becoming 
Modesty All Attentions Proffered by the Ladies." 

Each guest is given a numbered slip bearing the name 
of an occupation. The leader then announces that when 
a number is called that person is expected to illustrate in 
pantomime the occupation given. One by one the men 
illustrate the following occupations : Mixing bread, curl- 
ing the front hair, washing clothes, ironing, putting a hat 
on straight, embroidering, sweeping, managing a trained 
gown. These tasks fall to the ladies: Tying a necktie, 
making up the furnace fire, sawing wood, harnessing a 
horse, hoeing in the garden, passing the collection basket, 
mowing the lawn, shoveling off the walks. 

To secure partners for the supper to follow the gentle- 
men are auctioned, each being covered nearly full length 
with a long sack or sheet in an outer room and brought 
in and sold for " wampum," or, rather for kindergarten 
beads strung on raffia. 



LEAP-YEAR PARTIES 65 

MOLASSES KISSES 

A good mixer to get everyone laughing and talking will 
be to give each guest a big molasses kiss and request that 
the kisses be eaten immediately. When everybody's 
mouth is pretty well filled commence introducing one to 
another. Really, under the circumstances, one cannot be 
formal when acknowledging an introduction and at the 
same time endeavoring to move a kiss out of the way. It 
is a laughable way to break the ice and start lively chatter. 

COUNTING OUT 

The next game receives its inspiration from the old 
one played with daisy petals. A dish of tiny red hearts 
is passed around and each person permitted to take all 
he can scoop up once with a teaspoon. Then partners 
for the evening get together and count off their hearts. 
The girl begins " He loves me," and lays one heart on the 
table. The man says " He loves me not," and lays one of 
his hearts beside it, and so on. The last to say his or 
her line has to pay a forfeit, whatever the partner may 
dictate. Then another couple take their places at the table 
and follow the same procedure until all have played. 

"getting the mitten" 

" The Glad Hand or the Mitten " is one form of amuse- 
ment always popular at Leap Year parties, the girls doing 
the progressive proposing of course. For this the men 
should be provided with a nuniber oi small hands and 
mittens, easily cut from colored cardboard, to which 
dainty cords or ribbons may be attached. When a girl 
is accepted by the man to whom she is proposing he gives 
her "the glad hand"; if rejected, she "gets the mitten." 
A prize should be awarded to the girl who has collected 



66 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

the greatest number of hands, while a consolation present 
should be given to the one holding the most mittens. 
Girls may decorate with pink bows the men who accept 
them, while blue bows might adorn those who reject them. 

LEAP-YEAR LUCK 

Provide a number of cards either in heart or shamrock 
form, or plain cards may be used for the purpose. Upon 
each glue or fasten by thread some small article symbolic 
of the future. These cards may be used as place-cards, or 
a " Gallery of Fate " may be arranged by fastening the 
cards around the wall of an adjoining room, the plain 
side, of course, outward. Each young man may be con- 
ducted with mock formality to this room and bidden to 
choose his card, thereby learning his " leap-year luck." 

The following articles may be attached to the cards, the 
rimes giving their significance : 

(A small steel pen) 
A literary maid, 'tis true, 
This year will seek to marry you. 

(A bit of feather) 
A milliner will soon decide 
That she desires to be your bride. 

(A penny) 
An heiress, with her wealth galore, 
Will for your coy " I will " implore. 

(A button) 
A seamstress will this year propose. 
And she will neatly mend your clothes. 

(Tiny mitten) 
Alas ! alas ! 'tis very true : 
Nobody wants to marry you ! 



LEAP-YEAR PARTIES 67 

(Tiny mirror) 
A charming social belle has planned 
This year to coyly seek your hand. 

(Pumpkin or other vegetable seeds) 
A farmer maid will be your fate, 
For she will win you for her mate. 

(Ring — a ten-cent one) 
A widow, by your charms impressed. 
Your hand, this leap year, will request. 

(Tiny brush) 
An artist plans to be your wife 
And lead with you a happy life. 

(Large pill) 
Oh, very happy you will be. 
For you will wed a nice M. D, 

(Lump of sugar) 
A charming maid of sweet sixteen 
Will seek you for her spouse, I ween. 

(Bit of slate pencil) 
A teacher will propose to you, 
And you'll say " Yes " — that's what you'll do. 

(Bonbon) 
The keeper of a candy shop 
To you the question soon will pop. 

X Hairpin) 
A damsel skilled in coiffure art 
Will try to win your manly heart. 

[(Miniature tin dish or spoon) 
If for domestic joys you look, 
Accept the offer of a cook. 



68 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

(Lump o.f starch or ironing wax) 
A laundress soon to you will say: 
" Oh, dear one, will you name the day.? " 

(Key) 
A maid who ne'er sings " ofif the key " 
iWill strive your future spouse to be. 

A Once-in-Four Party 

Twelve girl friends received verbal invitations to a leap- 
year party, each being slyly asked whom she would like to 
have invited as an escort. Each of the young men speci- 
fi-ed received a formal invitation attached to an at-home 
card. The invitation prepared him for the fact that this 
was to be a once-in-four-year function, and that he was to 
be " escorted " in place of escorting. The invitation was 
in rime. On the morning of the day of the party each 
girl received a note asking her to call for one of the young 
men; the latter were not told just who would call for each, 
the mantle of secrecy being preserved until he saw the 
maid. When the guests arrived they found the rooms 
profusely decorated wi'th hearts of all sizes, ferns and 
palms. 

TO FIND PARTNERS 

For the first game they found partners by matching with 
hearts that had been cut into two parts through the cen- 
ters, somewhat like the serrated parts of Yale keys, no 
two being cut alike. Each young man received one half, 
and a girl the other. The hearts were cut from pink card- 
board. Upon mating, each one pinned on his or her half- 
heart, and when all had found their partners a march was 
played. To its tune the couples marched several times 
around the double parlors, finally to be halted in turn in 



LEAP-YEAR PARTIES 69 

front of a large rose bush, where each maii pieked a rose 
for his partner. Meantime the chairs and sofas had been 
so arranged that they formed one large circle, and now all 
the couples seated themselves. The rose bush was a large, 
growing bush, to which paper roses had been attached 
with wires. In the center of the roses were concealed 
tiny hearts, each containing one written word. Each 
couple had to arrange these words so that they formed 
two lines of a popular love song containing an even num- 
ber of words. The first couple to do this received a small 
prize. 

PROGRESSIVE GOSSIP 

" Progressive Gossip " was the second game. Each cou- 
ple evenly divided their small hearts and now became 
opponents instead of partners. They were given two 
minutes, to converse on a given subject, but were not 
to use any personal pronoun in their conversation. At 
each use of a personal pronoun the opponent claimed one 
of the small hearts. At the end of the two minutes the 
girls rose and each moved to the next man, while the men 
remained seated; a new topic was given out and this was 
continued until the girls had made the circle and each re- 
turned to her first opponent. The girl and man having 
acquired the most hearts were declared winners in this 
contest. 

ladies' choice 

"Ladies' Choice" was played next, each girl being 
allowed to choose her partner. For this game each couple 
received large hearts composed of two pasteboard hearts 
pasted together at the edges with narrow strips of gold 
paper. Each heart contained written directions, in verse, 
as to what was to be done. Inside the hearts were eight 
sections of cardboard, which were cut like a jigsaw puzzle 



70 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

and were to be put together to form one large heart. All 
had been cut alike, so that no one couple had an advan- 
tage. Of course there was a small prize for the couple 
that first succeeded in mending the "broken" heart. 

FAMOUS LOVERS 

The guests were then led to a pink-draped table which 
held two hollow hearts of cardboard covered with crushed 
pink tissue. In the top of each was an opening large 
enough to admit the hand. The girls drew heart-shaped 
cards from the receptacle on the right, and the boys from 
that on the left. Each card bore the " pied " name of one 
of a pair of famous lovers, and as soon as it was de- 
ciphered the holder started to " make a match " by finding 
the one who held its mate, the two becoming supper part- 
ners. "JO, NED, 'N HAL" proved to be John Alden, 
whose representative started at once in quest of Priscilla 
(CAP ILL, SIR?). " EVEN I, ANGEL" (Evangeline) 
promptly paired ofif with "BEG, LIAR!" (Gabriel), and 
"U PAL" (Paul) with "I GRIN, IVA " (Virginia). 
Then there were John Hancock and Dorothy Q., Hero and 
Leander, Dante and Beatrice, Dora and David Copper- 
field, and other celebrated " matches " of fiction and his- 
tory. 

In the dining room, whither they were conducted as 
soon as the match-making was over, chairs were ranged 
against the wall in pairs, joined by garlands of pink crepe- 
paper ribbon, from each of which depended a pair of 
hearts inscribed with the assumed instead of the real 
names of the guests. When all found their places a buffet 
supper was served, nearly everything being arranged in 
pairs. Thus to each couple was served, on a single small 
tray, two cups of "love potion" (bouillon). Sandwiches 
were tied together in pairs with pink and blue ribbon. A 



LEAP-YEAR PARTIES 71 

salad of apple, celery, nuts, tomato and asparagus tips, in 
mayonnaise, was served in twin " love-apple " shells 
(scooped-out tomatoes). With the ices, which were 
frozen in heart and cupid molds, were passed " true-love 
knots " formed with ribbonlike strips of puff paste brushed 
with white of egg and sprinkled with coarse sugar and 
chopped blanched almonds before baking. Then came a 
huge, heart-shaped fortune cake, from which each guest 
must cut a slice. It was iced in delicate pink and dec- 
orated with crystallized rosebuds. Fortune-telling trin- 
kets were scattered through it, including, of course, the 
inevitable ring, coin and thimble. 

With the coffee, " love box " favors were distributed. 
These were heart-shaped cardboard bonbon boxes, cov- 
ered with real icing and decorated to " match " the large 
cake. So perfect was the resemblance that at first all 
were deceived into thinking that they actually were cakes, 
but they proved to contain candy hearts, candied rose 
petals and crystallized "pairs" (pears). 

MATCH-MAKING 

After supper they played a match-making game. Each 
participant received a Hst of well-known advertising slo- 
gans, culled from magazines, and was directed to " match " 
the names of the advertisers, or articles advertised, to the. 
phrases. At the end of twenty minutes lists were ex- 
changed and compared with a correct list read aloud by 
the, hostess, and suitable prizes were awarded. 

TELEGRAPHIC EFFUSIONS 

Last of all a " valentine " postman brought in a num- 
ber of large valentines, one addressed to each pair of fa- 
mous lovers. These may be of the old-fashioned em- 
bossed valentine envelope kind, or, failing to find these. 



73 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

plain white envelopes decorated with heart seals may be 
used. Each envelope contained one pair of small scissors 
and six advertisements cut from popular journals; with 
these each couple formed a love letter, or message, or tele- 
gram, using only such words as they were able to cut 
from their advertisements. Small saucers of paste were 
passed around, and each couple pasted their chosen words 
on their envelopes. No mutilation of words was allowed. 
The composers of the best effusion received a prize. 



CHAPTER V 
" OLD-TIME " PARTIES FOR FEBRUARY 

Many hostesses find in the February holidays a good 
opportunity to resort to the fashions and customs of long 
ago. We Americans change so. rapidly that an " Old- 
Time Party " could be very interesting without going back 
a hundred years. The invitation is printed on glazed 
paper musliTi; the sheet folds over and is inclosed in an 
envelope of quaint cutting. In addition to the presenta- 
tion of the compliments of the host and hostess an addi- 
tional paper muslin card informs the invited guests that 
the ladies are to wear short paper muslin dresses, and the 
gentlemen are to wear " tyes " of the same fabric. An 
old-fashioned supper should be served with all the good 
things upon the table as the guests are seated. Each helps 
his neighbor and himself. An old-style caster should be 
on the table, and other table accessories and decorations 
fashionable years ago. 

For such a party an interesting new game is 

Things Our Grandmothers Missed 

That Were Unknown or Not in General Use 
Fifty Years Ago 

I. You need no coal, you need no wood 
To have a fire hot and good. 

(Gas Stove) 



74 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

2. Tho pens and pencils flee away 

You still may write a ream each day. 

(Typewriter) 

3. A thing of wheels and frightful noise 
That scares the girls, and pleases boys. 

(Motorcycle) 

4. A whirring sound and off it flies 

To sweep the cob-webs from the skies. 

(Airplane) 

5. When it's fastened to a wire 
You may " press " without a fire. 

(Electric Iron) 

6. It's daily help we cannot measure, 
Used for business and for pleasure. 

(Automobile) 

7. A drama we have never heard 
And yet you know its very word. 

(Moving Picture) 

8. A box that tells you o'er and o'er 
How much you purchase at the store. 

(Cash Register) 

g. Up and down it goes all day 

And helps the climber on his way. 

(Elevator) 

10. It's not a hose, it's not a broom 
And yet it's used to clean a room. 

(Vacuum Cleaner) 

11. A friend that brings us all together 
Just to chat, despite the weather. 

(Telephone) 



" OLD TIME " PARTIES FOR FEBRUARY 75 

12. A messenger that's never seen 

Yet carries news the lands between. 

(Wireless) 

13. It entertains with unconcern, 
With greatest artists in their turn. 

(Talking Machine) 

14. You do not need a helping hand 
To play this instrument so grand. 

(Player Piano) 

15. The quickest writing ever known 
Within the century has grown. 

(Shorthand) 

16. Whatever it is asked to hold 
It keeps it hot or icy cold. 

(Hot-Cold Bottle) 

17. It has no head nor legs nor tail 
And yet goes riding on a rail. 

(Locomotive) 

18. Babel's tower was a mite 

To something that is now in. sight. 

(Sky-scraper) 

19. A "candle" that will never burn 
Yet lights the way where e'er you turn. 

(Flashlight) 

20. Adding is its special feature 
Does its sums without a teacher. 

(Adding Machine) 

21. No more jogging, no more wear 
On the ground and yet on air. 

(Pneumatic Tires) 



76 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

22. Just a harmless little gun 
Made to shoot you, all in fun. 

(Snap Shot Camera) 

23. No seals nor bolts, nor fastenings tight, 
Can hide things from its eagle sight. 

(X-ray) 



24. Pay the price to touch a button 
You may eat just like a glutton 



(Automat) 



25. Suppose you name a kind of tub 
That cleans your clothes without a rub. 

(Washing Machine) 

26. A wire and a guiding pole 

Will take you daily to your goal. 

(Trolley Car) 

27. No matter how intense the night 
Its hands are always plain in sight. 

(Illuminated clock face) 

28. A little boat without a sail 

That swims below just like a whale. 

(Submarine) 



A Twenty Years Ago Supper 

For a supper suggestive of a score of years ago, the 
following rime would be appropriate as an invitation: 

" Backward, turn backward, O time in your flight 
Take us back twenty years, just for a night. 
Bring back the joys that we once used to know. 
Bring back the scenes of two decades ago." 



" OLD TIME " PARTIES FOR FEBRUARY 'jy 

Below should be written the hour and date of supper, 
also a request for the guests to wear costumes of twenty 
years ago, if possible. It will be remembered that this was 
the time of flaring skirts, exaggerated sleeves-, bustles and 
tiny hats perched high on the head. 

A substantial supper should be served ; the conventional 
church supper of that period consisting of cold ham, po- 
tato salad, fried oysters, rolls, cake, vanilla ice cream and 
coffee. 

In connection with the supper may be used the literary 
salad which was popular twenty years ago. Use tissue 
paper in various shades of green, cutting and crinkling to 
represent lettuce leaves. Paste on each leaf a numbered 
slip bearing a quotation. Pass the lettuce leaves to the 
guests, allowing each to take a leaf, and to endeavor to 
guess the author of the quotation. 

After the supper a program may be presented, and 
may include as piano solos, " Love's Dreamland Waltzes," 
" Qui Vive Galop," " Blue Danube," and " Loin de Bal," 
while the old songs, " On the Banks of the Wabash," 
" Sweet Marie," and " The Sweetest Story Ever Told " 
may be rendered. 

But for the most amusing feature of the program, ex- 
hibit photographs of those present, taken twenty years 
ago. A sheet may be used, and the pictures projected 
upon it by means of a reflecting lantern. After each pic- 
ture the audience should endeavor to guess the original. 
The entertainment may be appropriately concluded with 
"Auld Lang Syne," sung by the audience. 

A Program of Old Songs 

The program as outlined here really suggests "Life's 
Day in Old Songs." This arrangement, of course, may be 



78 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

discarded and any grouping of songs desired may be sub- 
stituted. All the performers should be in costumes of 
long ago. If given in a church the choir should march 
down the aisle singing, in order to show the costumes. 
The hymns may be " lined " and sung as- our grandfathers 
sang them, having someone " hist " the tune. 

Program 

1. Chorus — " Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean." (This 
may be sung by the choir as they march up the aisle to the 
platform.) 

Songs of Infancy 

2. Solo — "My Trundle Bed." 

3. Quartet — " Sweet and Low." 

Songs qf Childhood 

4. Solo and Quartet — "The Old Oaken Bucket." 

5. Duet — "What are the Wild Waves Saying?" 

Old-Time Sports 

6. Chorus of Men's Voices — " Sailing." 

7. Solo and Chorus — " Jingle Bells." 

Old-Time College Songs 

8. Chorus — " There Were Three Crows" (to be "lined 
off"). 

9. Solo and Male Quartet — "Seeing Nellie Home." 

10. Chorus — " Peanut Song." 

Love Songs of Long Ago 

11. Quartet — "Believe Me if All Those Endearing Young 
Charms." 

12. Solo and Chorus — "Listen to the Mocking Bird:" 

13. Solo — " Sweet Evelina." 



" OLD TIME " PARTIES FOR FEBRUARY 79 

Old-Home Songs 

14. " When You and I Were Young, Maggie." 

15. Chorus — "Home, Sweet Home" (to be "lined off"). 

16. Final Chorus — " Auld Lang Syne." 



An Old-Time Magazine 

For a living presentation of an old-time magazine, 
make a light-weight picture frame sufficiently large to 
accommodate an adult figure, cover it with buff cambric, 
and letter it in large black letters : " The Ladies' Friend," 
or " The Keepsake." Below should appear : " 1865. Pub- 
lished in New York." Curtains may be substituted for 
the framework, and should, if possible, be of light buff 
material. The Editor, in old-fashioned costume, should 
announce each number of the magazine. 

1. Frontispiece: An old-fashioned tableau may be used 
for this ; for example, a " belle " in quaint brocade, seated 
before the mirror with a hand glass. This is announced 
as " Before the Ball." Other appropriate subjects are 
" The Sampler " and the " Knitting Lesson." 

2. An Editorial of Bygone Days, read by the " Editor." 
This might be read from an old number of Godey's Lady's 
Book. In the light of the present day those editorials 
are very amusing. 

3. Music : " The Maiden's Prayer." 

4. Poem, " Memory," by Mrs. Lydia Huntley Sigour- 
ney. 

5. Story: A narrative from an old-fashioned magazine 
may be read, or an extract from the " Children of the 
Abbey." 

6. Fashion Department : This- is illustrated by a series 
of tableaux, young ladies posing in various old-fashioned 
costumes and described by the " Editor " as a gown worn 



8o THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

at the' Prince of Wales' Ball, a visiting costume with pel- 
lisse, etc. 



A Party in Honor of Dickens' Birthday (February 7) 

When Dickens' birthday comes around, 
What happy memories it evokes 
So come, to celebrate the day, 
Attired as one of Dickens' folks. 

The varied characters of Dickens' novels afford scope 
for amusing costumes which may be made with little dif- 
ficulty. After the guests have arrived, provide each 
with pencil and paper, upon which to write the various 
Dickens- characters represented by the guests. 

The old fashioned game of " Consequences " may be 
adapted to the occasion, and for examples one of the con- 
sequences could read. The genteel Pickwick and the 
melancholy Florence Dombey, met at the Marshalsea 
prison. He said " It's no consequence, ma'am." She said 
" I'll never desert Mr. Micawber," the world said " Chops 
and tomato* sauce " and the consequences were that the 
Squeers School disbanded. 

For refreshments individual " veal and ham " pies could 
be served, accompanied by coffee. 



CHAPTER VI 

SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARTIES 

A Shamrock Party 

A pretty invitation bore the rime below, printed in 
green on a white card. The upper left-hand corner car- 
ried a gold harp and green-shamrock seal ; the names of 
the hostesses and the place and date were added : 

St. P'atrick's Day in the avenin' 

Has been chosen by us two, 
To have a little party — 

And we're invitin' you. 
Please come — and wear an Irish smile; 

We want you on the scene; 
You'll find the place quite easily — 

The house is Irish green. 

Another attractive invitation may be made by cutting 
shamrocks from stiff green paper and printing a line 
of the verse in each petal, and the time and place on the 
stem in gilt. 

The night of the party decorate the house with all the 
natural greenery obtainable, or with streamers of green 
crepe paper; shade the lights with green, and if possible 
dress in green. As soon as each guest arrives pin on 
him a huge green crepe-paper bow and say that the rule of 
the evening is that everyone must talk in Irish brogue. 
This of course puts everyone in a merry frame of mind 
at once. 

8i 



82 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

behold! a green pig! 

A startling optical stunt is to draw, and cut out of 
bright red paper, a pig about four inches long. Mount it 
on a sheet of writing paper. Provide a pig for each guest. 
Mark the eyes heavily in black ink. Stretch a sheet upon 
the wall in a dark part of the room. Ask your guests to 
stand with their backs to the light, look the pig steadily 
in the eyes while they say " Poor piggy " twenty times ; 
then raise their eyes quickly and look steadily at the sheet, 
when they will see one of the wonders of nature, for be- 
hold ! a green pig ! 

BLOWING BUBBLES 

Much merriment will result from the next game, which 
is played by suspending a large green-cardboard sham- 
rock from the center of the ceiling and letting it hang 
about a foot above the heads of the players. A bowl of 
soapy water is provided, together with a clay pipe for 
each player, who, standing three or four feet away 
from the shamrock, blows a bubble, endeavoring to float it 
so it will hit the card. The player succeeding in strik- 
ing the card the most times is awarded a prize. 

DRAWING IRELAND 

A contest of skill may follow next, in which each guest 
is given a small square of cardboard and a pencil, and 
asked to draw a map of Ireland, putting in the principal 
cities. The best work may be awarded a book of Irish 
stories. 

For another game that tests one's skill, each player may 
be blindfolded, led to a table, given a pencil and a sheet 
of paper, and asked to draw a perfect shamrock. Each 
player thinks the task an easy one until he tries it. 



SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARTIES 83 

Then there are the old stunts of pinning a green-ribbon 
tail on piggy " darlint," and drawing a pig with eyes shut. 

SHAMROCK HUNTS AND STUNTS 

For a " Shamrock Hunt " hide hundreds of little green- 
paper shamrocks about the rooms, each one lettered either 
with " s " or " g " — " s " for " shamrock " and " g " for 
" green." When the hunt is over each person counts up 
the number of shamrocks he has, and the one who has the 
greatest number is awarded the prize : a little shamrock 
pin of some sort if possible. 

This is not the end of the shamrocks, however. Each 
person must count up his " s " shamrocks and his " g " 
shamrocks, and, according as " s " or " g " shamrocks 
predominate in his collection, he takes sides with either 
the " g " people or the " s " people. 

All are then provided with paper and pencil and asked 
to write down as many Irish things as possible. Those on 
the " s " side write only things beginning with " s," and 
those on the " g " side write only the names of things be- 
ginning with " g." At the end of ten minutes the contest 
closes, and the words are counted, the side having the 
most words winning. 

Everyone is next given a pen and a sheet of paper on 
which is written a Hst of Irish words such as " gossoon," 
" mavourneen," and the like. The English equivalents 
of these words are to be written opposite the Irish words. 
It is surprising how hard it is to find an EngHsh word for 
the Irish in some cases. 

POTATOES AND SNAKES 

A potato-paring contest is entertaining, especially if 
men are included among the contestants. The one who 
pares a potato best in the shortest length of time is the 



84 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

winner and may well receive a potato pincushion or a po- 
tato masher for a prize. A contest to see who can carve 
the most grotesque face on a potato calls forth much mer- 
riment also. 

For the next amusement green snakes cut from heavy 
paper are distributed, and each guest is told to write a 
rime about a snake on the paper snake. After the allotted 
time the snakes are collected and the anonymous rimes 
are read for the delectation of the company. 

In the center of the dining table have a shamrock- 
shaped basket, with three upright wire-loop handles fas- 
tened together with green-paper snakes. These snakes 
have a touch of black on them and also a touch of gold 
flitters. They all have open mouths with red tongues. 
Similar small snakes hold in their mouths white place- 
cards. Use green candles in gold candlesticks on the din- 
ing table and, if possible, shamrock-decorated shades. 

SHAMROCK EEFEESHMENTS 

Refreshments for a " Shamrock Party " may consist of 
dainty lettuce sandwiches and green-pepper sandwiches 
cut into shamrock shapes, with olives, and with salad 
made from white grapes and pistachio nuts. Tiny green- 
frosted cakes and white ones with a green shamrock in 
sugar on each one are tempting with pistachio ice cream 
served in little green cases. For an inexpensive " Potato 
Supper " the menu might be 

Cream of Shamrock Soup 

(Spinach or pea soup, with parsley on top) 

Blarney-Stone Sandwiches 

(" Tongue " and chopped olives) 

Baked Potatoes with Butter 

Potato Custard Pie 

Coffee 



SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARTIES 85 

An Afternoon Musical 

At an afternoon party where the guests were invited to 
brin^ their needlework, when all had arrived and settled 
down to work the hostess explained that there was to 
be a " Silence Contest " while many Irish selections by a 
well-known singer were played on the talking machine. 
All who spoke during that time were to draw a slip from 
the basket which the " scorekeeper " held, and when the 
concert was over they were to read and " do " the " pen- 
ances " written in green ink on their slips. 

It was then that the hostess had the surprise of her 
life, for instead of the usual chattering crowd who per- 
sistently try to outtalk the music there was a group of 
silent, placid women who listened to and thoroughly en- 
joyed the various expressions of Irish melody. 

Only one " forfeit " was drawn from the basket, and, 
to their great amusement, the lady who had never been 
abroad and who was guiltless of even one Irish ancestor 
described most graphically a trip taken in a donkey cart 
through the picturesque Lake Region. Her many imag- 
inary adventures, all attributable to the perverse donkey, 
were nothing short of marvelous, being identical in every 
respect with those of the author of a certain book of 
travels. Verily a retentive mind is a valuable asset. 

To Meet the "Murphys" 

A Saint Patrick's evening entertainment always prom- 
ises a jolly, rollicking good time. Here is a catchy invita- 
tion that will surely bring acceptances: 

Och ! Shure it will plaze me much to have ye come to tay, 
To meet ould Mr. and Mrs. Murphy at 8:30 on Saint 

Patrick's Day. 
That its native humor may be heard and seen the while 
Come prepared to do your part for the Emerald Isle. 



86 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

In case the guests do not take the hint, provide your- 
self with scores of good stories of Irish wit, and in addi- 
tion to these your guests will need little entertaining, for 
when once you have your guests laughing heartily they 
are almost sure to make their own good time the rest of 
the evening. But, of course, you must have the fun of 
potato races and games, 

FEEDING THE PIGS 

For this contest the pig is made of green paper, pasted 
upon a large sheet of muslin hung across one corner of 
the room. The muslin is cut away between the wide-open 
jaws of the "pig," leaving a hole through which a tiny 
potato may easily pass — if v^ell aimed. Each player is 
allowed three trials. If preferred the players may feed 
the pig while blindfolded. The prize may be a little pig in 
which is concealed a spring tapeline or similar novelty. 

IRISH PARTNERS 

The lassies draw slips of paper upon which are written 
Irish given names for women, as Bridget, etc. They pin 
these names upon their dresses. The lads draw surnames 
with a number, as O'Harrow, No. 6. At a small express 
office O'Harrow calls for package No. 6, which when 
opened will furnish him with the name of his partner for 
supper, a green sash for her, and a red bandanna for 
himself to tie around his neck; thus bedecked they go to 
the dining-room. 

For your table decorations scatter cut-out paper sham- 
rocks over the cloth and attach them also to the sides. 
Upon the table place ham sandwiches tied with green rib- 
bon, pickles, olives and green apples. Serve hot coffee, 
and — last but not least — bring in on small plates, steam- 



SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARTIES 87 

ing-hot, " Mr. and Mrs. Murphy " accompanied by Messrs. 
Salt and Pepper and their chum, Pat Butter. 

A Saint Patrick's Day salad that " looks good enough to 
eat " is made from four cupfuls of cold boiled potatoes, 
two tablespoonfuls of finely minced onion and two of cel- 
ery, and a good boiled salad dressing. Cut the potatoes in 
cubes, sprinkle with the onion and celery, and toss the 
mixture in the dressing just before serving. Arrange in 
a mound, garnish with the crisp parsley, and tiny sham- 
rocks cut from sweet gherkins. 

Banana ice cream served in lady-finger cases makes a 
pretty dish. To make the case dip the sides of the re- 
quired number of lady-fingers in a soft white icing, which, 
when they are stood side by side, will keep them together. 
Arrange them around a bowl. Tie a soft yellow ribbon 
around all to hold them in place, and remove the bowl 
when the icing has hardened sufficiently for the case to 
retain its shape. Pistachio cream and green ribbon would 
make this appropriate for the Saint Patrick's Day party. 

Where Each Guest Has a Part 

With a little careful thought this idea of a stunt evening 
can be so planned that it is sure to go successfully. The 
hostess, before the party, can provide the material needed 
and then assign each stunt to the one who is best suited 
to perform it. 

After Uvely social chat the " stunts " are introduced by 
rimes on cards : 

Give us a little history 

Of old Saint Patrick's Day, 
And what he did for his country 

So many miles away. 



THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

If you will tell us about your favorite book, 

'Twill be a treat indeed; 
And perhaps will help us when we look 

For something good when we read. 

They say the home of the fairies, dear, 

Was in Old Ireland true; 
And so we all would like to hear 

A fairy tale from you. 

While the others with their stunts are employed, 
Some music from you would be enjoyed. 

Our gratitude you will invoke 

If you'll tell us a good old Irish joke. 

Draw us a map of Ireland, 

On this Saint Patrick's Day; 
If you won't do that, draw an Irish Pat, 

Who is smoking his pipe of clay. 

'Twill greatly help our fun along 

If you'll sing us the newest Irish song. 

Tell us the latest book you've read; 

Of the hero brave and something he said. 

Tell us a story full of fun, 

And something that's really true; 
Or, if you cannot think of one, 

An Irish joke will do. 

Give us a little receipt 

To keep from feeling sad; 
And tell what Saint Patrick did 

To make his people glad. 



SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARTIES 89 

While responses to these verses are being prepared 
music is furnished by the one who receives the fourth 
rime, after w^hich each guest is handed a card, daintily 
hand-painted in green, on which is the following verse : 

Ladies, let's now to the ballot go. 

For the one whose stunt was the best ; 

Write her name below, and let no one know, 
And we will do the rest. 

The cards are then taken up, and while dainty refresh- 
ments are served, consisting of Tipperary Cream and 
Angel Food Cake, the cards are looked over by those hav- 
ing them in charge. The " prize " is then given to the 
one who has received the most " votes," which prize con- 
sists of a dainty white box filled with green and white 
mints and tied with green ribbon. 

A Pig Party 

As pigs have been elevated in the literary productions 
of well-known writers to the title rank, as in " Pigs is 
Pigs," and to the chief character parts, as in Joseph Lin- 
coln's book, '•' Thankful's Inheritance," it is not beneath us 
to see in the pig the possibility of an evening's fun. A 
party of this kind was given so successfully at a select 
boarding school that its program is well worth following. 
The invitation read: 



Greeting : 



Tom Magee, the piper's son, 
Stole a pig and home he run. 

Then, you see, the pig grew big. 
Tom went to town and sold the pig. 

Yes, 'twas I who bought that pig, 
The pig of Tom's, which is so big. 



90 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Why, my eye ! What do you s'pose 
That pig weighs, from tail to nose? 

That is why you'd better see 
This pig I bought from Tom Magee. 
{Name, time and place.) Farewell. 

When the guests arrived they were introduced to 
Madam Pig, the guest of honor. She was standing on 
the "green" (crepe paper), hitched to a small green cart 
filled with real potatoes. A drove of small candy pigs 
followed, 

HOW TO MAKE " MADAM PIG " 

One roll pale apricot crepe paper 
One roll green crepe paper. 

Start with the pig's tail. It consists of a heavy piece 
of flexible wire, seven inches long, wound back and forth 
with a strip of apricot crepe paper until it is one and one- 
half inches thick at one end and tapering to a point at 
the other. 

Take a piece of crepe paper twenty inches wide and 
eighteen inches long. Gather one of the twenty-inch 
edges around the thick end of the tail and tie as tightly 
as possible. Turn inside out and paste the eighteen inch 
edges together, thus forming a bag. Stuff lightly with 
fiuffy cotton and wind the upper end with white wire to 
form snout. Cover with a strip of crepe paper. Paste 
on a pair of small pointed ears, made of two thicknesses of 
crepe paper pasted together and shaped while wet. Make 
the legs of wires, each pair being joined by a cross piece 
which goes under the stomach of the pig. Wind the legs 
until they are of the proper thickness. Fasten under- 
piece of wire to the body by sewing. The wire for the 
legs must be stiff. Paste on dots of black for eyes and 



SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARTIES 91 

give the tail a twist and piggie is ready to harness to a 
green cart. The cart is a box covered v^^ith green crepe 
paper, the wheels stiff circles of cardboard covered with 
green and fastened to the cart with two short black headed 
hat pins for axles, passing through the sides of the cart. 
The following was the order of the evening : 

(i) "A Pig Time" saves a rime. 

(2) "A Pig in a Poke." 

(3) " Irish Stew." 

(4) " Pigs in Blankets," and others. 

(5) These " Pigs are Blind." 

Game No. i. — Slips of paper were passed (7 by 9 
inches) with the instructions: "Tear out the picture of 
a pig within the time limit of five minutes. If you fail 
to do this you'll have to write a rime telling why you 
failed. ' A pig in time ' will save a rime." The collec- 
tion was so wonderful that it was hard to choose the win- 
ner, so a candy pig was given for each " effort." 

Game No. 2. — To each guest was given a conundrum 
written on a sHp of paper. The answers were to be found 
in objects in the room. The guests were to "poke" 
around until they found them. Here is the list of conun- 
drums : 

(i) Slang expression for face (Mug). 

(2) What the Irishman took after breakfast that restored 
his sight. (He took a cup and saw, sir — Saucer.) 

(3) A city in Ireland (Cork). 

(4) What the baseball player likes to have In the grand stand 
("Rooter" — Pig). 

(5) A city in Ireland that is double (Dublin — double N). 

(6) An Irishman's heating system of the heart (Smile). 

(7) The oldest piece of furniture in the world (Multiplica- 
tion Table). 



92 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

(8) The difference between a glass of soda and a glass of 
water (Nickel). 

(9) Always on time, sometimes behind time, and usually 
ahead of time (Calendar). 

(10) Better with the head off than on (Sofa Cushion). 

(11) Where happiness is always found (Dictionary). 

When each answer was found it was brought to Madam 
Pig, and, if it was right, the victor was given a potato 
from the car. Under the potatoes fudge was discovered, 
and thereafter the cart was very popular. 

From the potatoes came the " Irish Stew," which is 

Game No. j. — An " Irish Stew " consists in making a 
pig from a potato. Small, pointed knives were passed out, 
and the time limit was fifteen minutes, in which a pig 
must be carved from the potato. The prize was a potato 
candy box filled with green candies. 

Game No. 4. — Refreshments : 

" Pigs in Blankets " 

(Oysters rolled in strips of bacon and baked) 

" Moon Sandwiches " 

" The moon is made of green cheese, they say " 

(Cream cheese, colored green, mixed with walnuts) 

" Irish Moss " 

(Green gelatin served with whipped cream colored green) 

" Tea " and " Olives " 

Game No. 5. — A little booklet had been prepared with 
a pig pasted on it. On each page was a " pigified " quo- 
tation such as : "A pig, a pig, my kingdom for a pig ! " 
or " A pig in the hand is worth two in the bush." 

Each guest was blindfolded (in turn) and each was to 
draw (with pen and ink) on one page the picture of a 
pig. The pen must not be lifted from the paper except 
to place the " eye " in the pig. These sketches were 



SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARTIES 93 

signed, and the booklet was retained by the hostess as a 
souvenir. 

IRISH CITY CHARADES 

These may be used as a guessing game, with the head- 
ing, " Take a Trip to Ireland and See What Impresses 
You Most," at the top of the card bearing the verses; or 
they may be used as place-cards and will be found good 
starters of conversation, as nearly every one will be glad 
to ask help of his neighbor. These charades may also be 
used for finding partners. Write the two halves on sepa- 
rate cards and place them on separate trays,, one for the 
ladies and one for the gentlemen, and hand them to each 
guest as he or she enters the room, with the direction: 
" Find your traveling companion." It is well to have a 
map of Ireland hung in the room if it is possible to obtain 
such a map. A gentleman should be given the first half 
of the card, and after he has found his partner, which may 
necessitate his speaking to nearly every lady in the room, 
the two may go to the map to find the answer or solve the 
riddle together. This will be found to be a most enter- 
taining and inspiriting means of " getting together " : 

Irish City Charades 

(i) My first is a "B" and my last is a "t"; 
The Emerald Isle is proud of me; 
My name is a curious one, I guess. 
Reminding you of a maid in distress. 

(2) " D " is my first and my last is an " n " ; 
I'm the center of things to good Irishmen; 
Whenever they roam over valley and hill, 
My sons and my daughters love — still. 

(3) My letters are four, and if you will look 

They will make you think of your good Irish cook; 



94 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

In a round tube of glass my namesake you'll see; 
Now if you think hard, I'm sure you'll guess me. 

(4) My first half means slaughter, my last rimes with penny; 
Of heroes great I do not have many. 

But two famous cats, in a much-talked-of fight, 
Fought each till the other was vanquished from sight. 

(5) My first half means lassie, my second a way; 
I'm a city, a county and also a bay ; 

My people, an odd but industrious crew. 
Are very great talkers, and good fishers too 

(6) My first is a " K," my second is ill; 
With a " y " do I end ; now listen until 

I tell you my secret — my pride and my glory 

Are my beautiful lakes, famed in song and in story. 

(7) With a " y " do I end, I begin with a " B "; 
A castle fair in my place you will see ; 
Within is a stone — ■ if you due homage show, 
Honeyed words from your lips ever will flow. 

(8) My first half means a city great and renowned; 
My second an Irish "derry" is found; 

While I'm not so great as my cousin, I'll own, 
On the pages of history I'm not wholly unknown. 

(9) My first half is water, my last means a crossing; 
I'm down in the south near the sea waves tossing; 
Many sieges historic and battles I've known; 

I resisted Lord Cromwell and welcomed Prince John. 

(10) My first half may mean branch, my last rimes with trick; 
I'm quite a large city and built of red brick; 

In popular usage, and not meaning offense, 
My name means a rime more jingle than sense. 



SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARTIES 95 

(11) I begin with a ball, and next comes a brig; 
I'm a village old and not very big ; 

My people are weavers, as you may suppose, 

Till my name's come to mean some soft, cotton clothes. 

(12) I begin with an " S," with an " n " do I close; 
In a popular song I remind you of rose; 

I'm a river in Ireland, and noble and grand, 

My bright waters stretch through the heart of the land. 

Answers: (i) Belfast; (2) Dublin; (3) Cork; (4) Kil- 
kenny; (5) Galway; (6) Killarney; (7) Blarney; (8) Lon- 
donderry; (9) Waterford; (10) Limerick; (11) Balbriggan; 
(12) Shannon. 



A Change in Refreshments 

For a novelty and change from the usual party re- 
freshments your guests will enjoy a menu of celery soup, 
sliced ham, stuffed baked potatoes or potato salad, and 
"pig" biscuits. Pig biscuits are made from a recipe for 
Beaten Biscuit, but instead of making them round, as 
usual, they are pulled oblong. One end is pointed for a 
nose, and at the other end pull out a small piece and twist 
up over the back for a tail. At about the right position 
from the point of the nose, pull out little pieces for ears. 
Then pick holes for eyes. When browned, they look quite 
like little pigs. 

As a dessert, I should serve the shamrock russe, which 
is simply a layer of sponge cake cut out with a shamrock 
cutter, covered with a layer of whipped cream, then a 
layer of gelatin colored green with vegetable coloring, 
and topped with whipped cream and a candied violet. The 
gelatin is made in a shallow pan and is also cut with a 
shamrock cutter. If you wish to give an afternoon tea 



96 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

you might serve this dainty, but precede it with shamrock 
sandwiches. Have some of your young girl friends wear 
little caps of green and green apronsi. Cover your tray or 
basket with shamrock-decorated napkins, and on these lay 
olive sandwiches cut in shamrock shape and topped with 
one of the small cardboard shamrocks. 

These novelties may be part of the following menu for 
a dinner: 

Green Pea Soup in Cups 
Boiled Salmon, Green Sauce 
Balls of Boiled Irish Potatoes, With Chopped Parsley- 
Pig Biscuits 
Mayonnaise of Green String Beans on Lettuce Hearts 
Shamrock Russe Coffee 

TABLE DECORATIONS 

The experienced hostess, realizes that a holiday enter- 
tainment with distinctive features suggested by the day is 
much easier to plan than a party that is more or less pur- 
poseless. A St. Patrick's Day party may always be a jolly 
one because of the wit and humor and fun that charac- 
terize it. A party or dinner, or whatever the form the 
entertainment may take, is on this day therefore always 
informal, and, what is most apropos of our subject just 
now, it may always be most economical. 

Whenever a hostess plans to entertain I think her mind 
turns instinctively, first of all, to her table — its decora- 
tion and the menu she is to serve. Now we are surely 
in " clover " from an economical standpoint when we plan 
for a St. Patrick's Day party. 

First, let us take the table itself. A very simple and 
easily arranged decoration is to place a border of light- 
weight cardboard shamrocks or shamrocks cut from paper 
napkins just inside the hem of your damask tablecloth. 



SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARTIES 97 

In the center of the table, on a large lace-paper center- 
piece, place a rockery of Irish potatoes, which, of course, 
have been well scrubbed, and in the spaces between the po- 
tatoes place sprigs of parsley, or if you wish the rockery 
to be a trifle more artistic and its constituents to serve as 
souvenirs, secure from your local confectioner the candy 
potatoes that are rolled in cinnamon. Build your rockery 
of these and fill the interstices with bits of fern. 

Use uncovered green candles on your table, stuck into 
large Irish potatoes for holders, set on white lace-paper 
doilies. 

FAVORS AT LITTLE COST 

A very inexpensive little favor to go with this table is 
a triangular box made of thin cardboard, covered inside 
with white crepe paper and outside with green crepe pa- 
per. On each side is pasted a small shamrock outlined in 
gilt. The corners are cut out, the sides folded up and the 
edges tied together with green satin ribbon and the box 
filled with candy or nuts. A guest's name may be placed 
on one of the shamrocks, and the favor will serve as a 
place-card as well. 

As another suggestion a centerpiece is made by fasten- 
ing together three shillalahs with green satin ribbon. To 
the tripod thus made is fastened a basket made of three 
large cardboard shamrocks. This may be used as a Jack 
Horner pie, from which small humorous favors may be 
drawn by the guests, or it may be filled with a vegetable 
bouquet of lettuce, carrots, leeks, etc. 

To go with this centerpiece, a holder for bonbons is 
made of two light-weight card-board shamrocks of the 
same size, the upper one being pasted on the lower one at 
the center and the three petals turned up and tied together 
to form a cup, into which a small white-paper ice cup is 
set to hold the bonbons. 



98 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 
A Shamrock Social 

For the Shamrock Social the following invitation may 
be used : 

Acushla, come, mavourneen, 

And do not s'ay me nay; 
At my home let your face be seen, 
Upon St. Patrick's Day. 

A pretty plan for decoration consists in making a frieze 
of white paper around the walls of the room, and pasting 
paper shamrocks upon it. The curtains should be pinned 
back with branches of evergreen, and a mossy stone may 
be in evidence as the " Blarney Stone." Across the front 
of the room may be displayed in large green letters the 
Irish motto " Gaid Mille a Failthe " (a thousand welcomes 
to all). The hostess (or the committee, if the entertain- 
ment is a church social) should wear white with a small 
apron trimmed with paper shamrocks. Or the costumes 
may consist of white shirtwaists, decorated with paper 
shamrocks, dark skirts and bright green girdles. 

It would be a pretty idea to present to each guest, upon 
arrival, a sprig of cedar. After the guests are assembled 
the tallest men are requested to meet in the center of the 
room. An amusing measuring scene follows and the two 
agreed upon to be the tallest choose sides, alternating 
ladies and gentlemen, until all are chosen for sides in the 
game contests which follow. 

A potato contest may be used first, and for this pur- 
pose each side should be lined up in order of choosing. 
At the signal agreed upon a large handful of small po- 
tatoes should be given to each leader, each receiving an 
equal number. These are to be passed down the line as 
quickly as possible. In case a potato is dropped en route 
it must be recovered by the sole efforts of the one holding 



SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARTIES 99 

the potatoes before the potatoes can be passed farther. 
The side winning is rewarded by a generous bag of pea- 
nuts. 

Next, two contestants may be chosen and each be given 
a tablespoon, a dish of small potatoes and an empty dish. 
The dishes are placed on the floor, the empty ones at the 
opposite end of the room from those containing the pota- 
toes. At a signal the contestants start from the centre of 
the room, and the one who succeeds in transferring the 
largest number of potatoes one at a time from the full dish 
to the empty one receives a prize. 

St. Patrick's Guessing Contest 

" St. Patrick's Guessing Contest " may be used for a 
quiet game, the answers all embodying " Something 
Green " : 

A poet whom fame ranks high amongst nations. (John 

Greenleaf Whittier.) 
A dish often class'ed among commonest rations. (Greens.) 
In Washington's army an officer plucky. (Greene.) 
And a town of some prestige in blue-grass Kentucky? 

(Bowling Green.) 
A song often sung in "ould Ireland," they say. ("Wearin' 

of the Green.") 
And a game little children are happy to play. (" Green 

Gravel.") 

A country though frigid at all seasons green. (" Green- 
land.") 
An American woman, of finance the queen. (Hetty Green.) 
An aeronaut famous, of masculine gender. (Darius Green.) 
A possession much prized by the profligate spender. 

(Greenbacks.) 
An amateur person whom none would resemble. (Green 

hand.) 



100 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

A part of a playhouse where actors assemble. (Green 
room.) 

Of little folks' dresses a clever designer. (Kate Green- 
away.) 

A plum that's styled fine by a critical diner. (Green gage.) 

A bird better known in the borders of Britain. (Green 
finch.) 

A man much revered for one rime nobly written. (Fitz 
Greene Halleck.) 

An author of novel pervaded by mystery. (Anna Katherine 
Green.) 

A name that has a place among writers of history. (John 
Richard Green.) 

A height in Vermont whence a far-reaching vision. 
(Gireen Mountains.) 

And a place where gay blosstims are grown with precision*. 
(Greenhouse.) 

Of envious persons a common appelative. (Green-eyed.) 

And lastly a title to all verdure relative. (Greenery.) 

PIN THE SHAMROCK ON IRELAND 

A good blindfold game for St. Patrick's Day consists in 
drawing a map of the Eastern Hemisphere, using differ- 
ent-colored crayons, and, of course making Ireland green. 
The map is hung on the wall and each guest in turn blind- 
folded and given a shamrock to be pinned on Ireland. 
Whoever succeeds in doing so should be rewarded with a 
bonbon box decorated with shamrocks. 

POTATO GOLF 

" Potato Golf " is another lively contest. For this a 
golf course is laid out by means of small dishes and sau- 
cers of various sizes, placed at from one foot to two 
feet apart. A tablespoon, a dessert spoon and a teaspoon 
should be given each player, together with a medium-sized 



SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARTIES loi 

smooth potato. The object of the contest is to toss the 
potato from one dish or " hole " to the other, using as few 
strokes as possible, the spoons serving as golf clubs. The 
one who completes the course in the fewest number of 
strokes is entitled to a prize. 

IRISH STEW 

If the social is given for money-raising purposes a caul- 
dron of " Irish Stew " is an interesting feature. In a 
booth made from cedar boughs, supplemented by a green 
curtain, a young girl, costumed in dark skirt, blouse and 
long cape, bends over a large cauldron which contains 
water. Upon the surface float " dumplings " made of ab- 
sorbent cotton, wrapped in parafiine paper. Each dump- 
ling contains a miniature favor (light in weight), and for 
each five cents a guest is permitted to take a long-handled 
skimmer with which to remove a dumpling from the stew. 

When ready to serve refreshments a good plan, if 
there are a large number of guests and a " mixer " is de- 
sired, consists of using paper napkins in various designs 
appropriate to the day, such as harps, flags, shamrocks, 
etc. Cut each napkin into six pieces, and distribute these 
sections. Announce that the guests holding pieces of sim- 
ilar napkins must gather together to form groups of 
" harps," " flags," etc. After refreshments have been 
enjoyed each group may be called upon to give a college 
" yell." 

A Pleasure Trip to Ireland 

Each guest received a white card decorated by a sham- 
rock, beneath which ran this announcement: 

You are invited to take passage on the " Shamrock " for 
Ireland, March 17, [date], at Street. For passport 



102 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

wear som.ething green, by order of the "Captain." 
Miss . 

On our arrival, with our passports passed on as " good," 
we were given little guide books tied by green ribbon, 
each with a tiny green pencil attached. Peeking within 
our books the first event of our trip we found to be : " The 
Ocean Voyage to the Emerald Isle." Our hostess laugh- 
ingly informed us that the only way we could take passage 
was to write in our books a sentence about something 
that might take place or might be seen on an ocean voy- 
age. The only requirement was that the initial letters we 
used must be found in " green " ; examples of which are : 
" Grace noticed everything gradually receded." " Every- 
one ran round eating gingersnaps." When each had read 
his part one can imagine that the trip was indeed a merry 
one. 

The heading for the next page was "At the Custom 
House." As in the old-fashioned spelling match, two 
captains were appointed, who called out alternately those 
who they thotight would uphold their sides to the end. 
When all were standing in opposite lines the " teacher " 
gave out words, not to be spelled as they were in the dic- 
tionary, but spelled in honor of St. Patrick. In spelling 
the words given, instead of mentioning the vowels, the 
words " St. Patrick " were to be used, for example : " Cat, 
C — St. Patrick — t." When two vowels came together, 
St. Patrick, Patrick the Saint, were to be used, for ex- 
ample : " Meat ; M — St. Patrick, Patrick the Saint — t." 
The words were to be spelled quickly, without hesitation or 
repetition. After giving a few simple words, long and 
difficult words were given with a number of vowels in 
them, so that even the wary were tripped into saying a 
vowel, which meant " Sit down." 

Later we visited " Places of Interest " and some of us 



SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARTIES 103 

had a hard time to find out just where we were going, for 
the letters were mixed in a strange manner. In our 
guide book we suppHed the correct names : 

1. Rokc — Cork. 4. Tselfba — Belfast. 

2. Ldnubi — Dublin. 5. liclerkm — Limerick. 

3. Ainkellyr — Killarney. 6. Repiyrpat — Tipperary. 

7. Yenralb Lectas — Blarney Castle. 

8. Nnnohas Verri — ■ Shannon River. 

9. Tddsreee Avligel — ^ Deserted Village. 

A visit to the " Dublin Art Gallery " proved a source 
of much fun also. Each guest received a slip of paper, 
about nine by three inches, folded into three equal sec- 
tions. On the first section each was to draw the head of 
something; the work was then folded under, so the second 
section was on top; the papers were then exchanged, and 
a body drawn; a second time the papers were exchanged, 
for the drawing of the feet on the third part of paper. 
No one knew what another had drawn, so the results were 
comical and worthy of a place in an art gallery. 

The next page in our guide book was decorated with 
shamrocks, and in lettering was : " I know a place where 
the shamrock grows." We began a search, now high, 
now low, for the lucky leaves that had been hidden in 
clever places about the rooms, the boys hunting for leaves 
tied with green ribbon, the girls with white. A suitable 
prize was given to the one finding the most clover leaves, 
which were simply leaves cut from green cardboard. For 
prizes of this sort one might use the tiny green silk hat, 
a green pig and a gold harp, any of which may be ob- 
tained from any favor counter. 

Scenes and Songs of Ireland 
In planning an entertainment of this kind, few rehears- 
als are needed, the essentials being the careful posing of 



104 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

the " pictures " and the distinct enunciation of the words 
of the songs. 

While a frame for the pictures is not an absolute neces- 
sity, it will add greatly to the effect. This frame should 
preferably be covered with gilt paper, and four by six feet 
will be found a satisfactory size. 

Directly back of it hang a heavy curtain, which may be 
black or any very dark color. On each side and above the 
frame hang curtains, to be drawn when the pictures are 
changed. 

The following songs are well adapted to this purpose : 

1. Kitty of Coleraine. — Picture: Young girl in a 
bright blue or green waist; dark skirt. She holds a 
pitcher in her hands, regarding it sadly. 

2. The Wearing of the Green. — Picture : Young girl in 
white, pins a shamrock upon a young man's coat. The 
man should wear a dark suit, with a long-tailed coat, a 
fancy vest with wide revers, and a brown or a green hat. 

3. The Low-Backed Car. — Picture: Pretty girl wear- 
ing a bonnet tied with green ribbons, a red cloak, a white 
waist and a dark skirt. She carries upon her arm a basket 
of vegetables. 

4. Come Back to Erin. — Picture : Girl, in a simple ging- 
ham working dress, seated at a wooden table, such as a 
kitchen table. Her head is bowed upon her hands, and 
her attitude expresses homesickness. 

5. The Harp That Once Through Tara's Halls. — Pic- 
ture: Woman, in gray draperies, holds a harp, her atti- 
tude expressing sadness. The harp may be made from 
gilt cardboard, and gilt cord used for strings. 

6. Mother Machree. — Picture: Old woman dressed in 
black — white kerchief — knitting. 

7. Kathleen Mavourneen. — Picture : Young man, in the 



SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARTIES 105 

costume suggested for the second tableau, carries a black- 
thorn stick, from which is hung a bundle tied in a large 
handkerchief. 

8. A Little Bit of Heaven. — Picture : Girl, representing 
Ireland, wears a white gown decorated with shamrocks, 
and carries a harp, 

9. Then You'll Come Back (Irish Folk Song, by Arthur 
Foote). — Picture: Aged couple seated before the fire; 
the husband in working clothes, the wife in gingham, with 
a little paid shawl pinned around her shoulders. 

10. It's a Long Way to Tipperary. — Picture: Soldier in 
khaki, seated by a campfare, holds a picture in his hand, 
and gazes earnestly at it. 



A Laugh- Awhile Party 

For an informal program an " Irish Minstrel Show " 
is a novelty. 

When the curtain is raised for the opening welcome 
chorus the participants make a pretty scene in the setting 
of green and white decorations of crepe-paper festoons 
with plenty of shamrocks. The men wear green crepe- 
paper hats and ties, while the girls dress in Irish peasant 
costumes of green bunting with bodices laced over white. 
There must be an interlocutor and two end men, while a 
dozen girls, more or less, may take part. 

Between witticisms, monologues and jokes, Irish 
songs should be sung, such as " Mother Machree," " A 
Little Bit of Heaven," " Where the River Shannon 
Flows," " When Irish Eyes are Smiling " and " Old Erin, 
the Shamrock, and You." The last named may be sung 
by eight girls who hold shamrocks on one side of which 
are the letters of the word " Shamrock." As this is 
spelled in the chorus, these are swung into view. 



io6 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Jolly- Joker Party 

A very original and entertaining party is the new 
"Jolly-Joker Party." This is in keeping with the spirit 
of St. Patrick's Day. The invitations are written on 
small white cards which may be decorated with sham- 
rocks. Various rimes may be used. The following one 
is quite suitable: 

Old Jolly Joker gives a party ; 

For Irish jokes he's on the look. 
Hunt up the best you ever heard of; 

Bring it along for his new joke book. 

The hostess' name should be signed. 

Those invited think up the best jokes they have heard, 
and write them down to bring to the party. As each guest 
arrives his name, printed on a card cut in the shape of a 
pig, is pinned on. This is a plan which greatly helps the 
hostess in making all the guests known to each other. 
Games will be in order as soon as all arrive. 

^ A NEW POTATO RACE 

" A New Potato Race " will be interesting. This is a 
contest in which a potato is balanced on the end of a yard- 
stick. A prize is awarded to the one who firsit reaches 
the goal without dropping his potato. If he does drop it 
he must begin again. 

A WALK TO DUBLIN 

"A Walk to Dublin" will next be enjoyed. For this 
a string is stretched tightly across the floor from one end 
to the other. The traveler is given a pair of opera glasses 
and is bidden to walk the length of the string, looking 
through the large end of the glasses. Toes and heels 



SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARTIES 107 

must be kept exactly on the line, and touching the floor 
with the free foot to steady oneself is strictly forbidden. 
As soon as an error is made the traveler must give place 
to someone else. All will be surprised at the difficulty 
of the " feat," and everyone who reaches " Dublin " 
should be decorated. 

TWISTED ANSWERS 

When the race is over two baskets are placed on the 
table. Each person is given two slips of paper which 
have been numbered. On one is to be written a question, 
on the other an answer. The answer must not be the 
answer to the question written. All the questions are 
put into one basket, all the answers into another basket. 
They are then shaken up and each guest draws out one 
question and one answer. The hostess then calls for 
question No. i. Whoever has answer No. i must read 
the answer. The same process is followed regarding 
question No. 2, and so on until all the answers have been 
read. The unusual information thus arrived at is very 
amusing. 

THE WEARING OF THE GREEN 

" The Wearing of the Green " is another lively game. 
The names of various greens and vegetables should be 
written on as many slips of paper, each paper bearing a 
number. Lettuce, celery, cabbage, spinach and many 
others will suggest themselves. The slips are pinned to 
the backs of the guests, each player being provided with 
a card and a pencil. 

At the tap of a bell everyone tries to see the words 
pinned to the backs of the others without letting his own 
tag be read. All words that are sighted are written with 
corresponding numbers on the card. There will be a 



io8 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

lively time and much fencing to acquire the desired in- 
formation. All the players try to keep their backs from 
view. At the end of six or eight minutes a call is made 
for the longest list, and a bunch of carrots is given the 
winner. 

THE LAKES OF KILLARNEY 

" The Lakes of Killarney " will be another popular 
game. Four lakes are drawn on the floor in as many 
parts of the room. They should be quite wide so no one 
can avoid stepping on them when moving about. A 
march is formed, which continues until the music suddenly 
stops, leaving one or more couples stranded on the 
" lakes." Everyone so caught must be seated, when the 
march is continued as before. The last couple to remain 
on the floor should be given prizes. Post cards of the 
Lakes of Killarney would be appropriate. 

NEW REFRESHMENT STUNT 

The best joke of the evening should be that of the 
hostess. She should announce that she never before had 
charged for refreshments, but to-night she had decided to 
do so, asking the guests to proceed in single file to the 
dining room, where they would find the price of every- 
thing plainly marked. 

Paper napkins and plates, knives, forks and spoons 
should be hung on a clothes tree near the door, over which 
a placard should read : " Your Choice — i Laugh Each." 
A collector stands at the entrance and insists on the fee. 
Like little Tommy Tucker, each guest must " sing for his 
supper," and on entering the dining room a measure or 
two of melody should issue from every throat before 
partaking of a morsel of the good things. As refresh- 
ments are passed, no hostess need doubt that the price 



SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARTIES 109 

for each will be paid with interest. The signs may read: 
"White-Bread Sandwiches, 3 Kind Words"; "Brown- 
Bread Sandwiches, i Rye Face"; "Salted Nuts, 2 
Winks"; "Bonbons, i Sweet Smile"; "Pickles, i 
Pucker"; "Salad, i Tooth-Showing Grin"; "Coffee, 2 
Chuckles " ; " Ice Cream, i Joke." 

Mad-March Party 

To be as " mad as a March hare " or even " as mad as 
a hatter " is quite permissible during this -unruly month. 
With hats departing suddenly from unsuspecting heads, 
and umbrellas showing a disposition to be independent 
of their owners, an outward air of dignity can scarcely 
be sustained. One who wishes to celebrate the whimsical 
spirit of the month may make a " Mad-March Party " a 
delightfully breezy affair. Everyone who receives the 
following invitation will be sure to " blow in " on the 
date appended: 

If you're feeling quite mad. 
We'll make you right glad. 
On the date that is given below. 

In foolish attire 

For all to admire. 
We'll meet as the March breezes blow. 

Topsy-turvy costumes are in order, though characters 
may be assigned by the hostess if desired, guests being 
asked to impersonate mad characters of fiction. Simply 
the appearance of characters from " Alice in Wonder- 
land," such as the Rabbit, the Mock Turtle, the Duchess, 
the Baby, the Cheshire Cat, and others, will furnish a 
regular gale of merriment. A " Mad March " may in- 
augurate the fun, all participants being required to walk 



no THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

backward. Partners are found by matching crazy-quilt 
patches. 

grandmother's crazy quilt 

" Grandmother's Crazy Quilt " may next be played. 
Each person is supposed to be a patch designated by the 
one drawn for the march. It is worn conspicuously on 
the front of the costume. Two rows of chairs are ar- 
ranged facing each other, on which the girls and boys 
seat themselves on opposite sides. One person, for whom 
there is no chair, stands at the end and tells a story 
somewhat as follows: 

" My grandmother thought she would make a crazy 
quilt and collected all sorts of patches." All " patches " 
rise, turn and seat themselves. The speaker continues by 
describing the patches, such as " she had a blue one, a 
round one, a plaid one, a silk one," and so on, and as each 
one is mentioned the one who fits the description rises, 
turns and sits down again. 

Then the speaker says : " One day grandmother 
thought she would put them together, but, going for a 
walk, lost them in the cabbage patch." This is the signal 
for a change of seats, the girls and boys trying to secure 
them in the opposite row from which they have been 
seated. The speaker also tries to secure a place with 
the girls or boys as the case may be. Anyone found in 
the wrong row must pay a forfeit. One player will be 
left standing and takes a turn as story-teller. 

A WINDY RACE 

A " Windy Race " may be next in order. A number 
of tissue-paper balls are provided, half being of one color 
and half of another. These are placed in a line at one 
end of the room, all of the same color being together, 



SAINT PATRICK'S DAY PARTIES iii 

while a goal is arranged at the other end. Two boxes 
resting on the floor, about four feet apart, will answer 
the purpose of goal posts. 

One player stands back of each ball, armed with a fan. 
At a signal all fan the balls toward the goal. Time is 
called in one minute, the side having the greatest number 
of balls in the goal being the winner. Other groups are 
tried out next, the winners of each set playing a final 
game for a prize. 

" NUTS " AND " GEESE " 

SHps of folded paper are next given out, those to the 
boys being inscribed with the word " Nut," while 
" Goose " will be found on the girls' slips. Someone an- 
nounces that a " Mad Tea Party " is next on the program 
and the refreshments must be taken to the table, but until 
called no one must tell what edible he or she represents. 
A number of good things are then named, such as ice 
cream, cake, salad, and so on, the person who has the slip 
being asked to stand. As no one rises the master of 
ceremonies remarks that he supposes he'll have to ask for 
all the " nuts." To the amusement of the company the 
entire masculine contingent will arise. 

Chickens, ducks and birds are next called, but all the 
girls come forward when " goose " is asked for. The 
" nuts " are now asked to form a circle facing outward, 
the " geese " are told to fly about the circle to music. 
When the music stops, the man and girl opposite each 
other are partners. 

At refreshments, coffee is poured from a teapot and is 
served in saucers, while covered vegetable dishes may 
contain sandwiches. A Welsh rabbit could be served 
in cups. 



CHAPTER VII 

THINGS TO DO AT APRIL FOOL AND 
OTHER FOOLISH PARTIES 

In arranging for an April Fool Party, invitations may 
be sent out on cardboard cut in the shape of a fool's cap, 
ornamented with a sketch of a clown or a jester, and 
bearing the following words : 

Please accept this invitation. 
Hasten here with expectation, 
Though the eve be dry or rainy, 
warm or cool; 
For we'll spend a time most jolly, 
Merry pranks and mirth and folly — 
So we'll celebrate with frolics 
"April Fool." 

Or, the invitations to this party may be in themselves 
jokes. They may be inclosed in a series of envelopes, one 
inside of another, graduated in size from the largest size 
to card envelopes, and as many as possible in number. 
The date and place of the party may be written on a very 
tiny card and inclosed in the last envelope. 

The guests may be received by a youth dressed as a 
jester, who gives to each one a fool's cap of brown paper. 
The jester's costume consists of a red blouse with full 
bishop sleeves and long, pointed yellow cuffs, and a full, 
gathered, double skirt, halfway to the knees, made in 
pointed scallops, alternating red and yellow, with a 
jingling gold bell sewed on each scallop. One stocking is 



APRIL FOOL AND OTHER PARTIES 113 

red and the other yellow, one foot is thrust into a red 
sandal and the other into a yellow one, with a bell on 
each sharply pointed toe. Around his waist is a red 
leather belt. A yellow jester's cap, with red rim and 
with bells on the hood, and a red cape with yellow lining 
complete his dress. The costume is made of glossy sateen, 
the sandals of Canton flannel. It would be a good play 
to have him announce to the guests as they arrive that 
the hostess is not at home, immediately adding to this 
remark : " Please come in and wait." They should then 
be directed to rooms where they may remove their wraps. 

To find partners for supper, let the " fool " hold a 
bunch of long pieces of ribbon in his hand, clasping them 
in the middle. The gentlemen pull from one side and the 
ladies from the other, the two holding the ends of the 
same string being partners. 

For a trick at the table, tie all the chairs together with 
a strong cord, and each guest, standing behind his or her 
chair, in vain attempts to draw it out. After finding 
themselves caught the fun is over and all are seated to 
enjoy the feast. 

Tricks and Favors 

The funniest dinner trick is played with a long rubber 
tube which has a little bulb at each end. Put one bulb 
under some one's plate, beneath the tablecloth, and bring 
the tube around under the table to your own place. 
When you squeeze the bulb at ybur end of the tube, the 
bulb under the plate puffs out and lifts the plate. Thus 
you can make the plate hop up and down in a very weird 
and unearthly fashion, and no one will suspect how this 
is accomplished. Such tricks may be purchased in 
novelty shops. 



114 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

April Fool favors may be distributed as little presents 
in little boxes, but have these tiny boxes in nests of larger 
ones. When the person opens the first box and finds only 
a second one, and in the second only a third, he may 
think there is nothing at all M^ithin. The last one, how- 
ever, contains a prize. 

To entertain the guests during the serving of refresh- 
ments, request each to tell the most foolish thing he ever 
did, and give a prize for the most foolish answer. Suit- 
able prizes would be Max Pemberton's " Queen of Jesters " 
for the fortunate lady, and Victor Hugo's " Man Who 
Laughs " for the lucky man. " A Foolish Dictionary," by 
Gideon Wurdz, would also be suitable. For booby prizes, 
wands with " fools' heads " of gingerbread would be 
amusing. 

Stunts for Entertaining 

For the All Fools' Day entertainment the carnival spirit 
should be kept in mind, and it adds greatly to the enjoy- 
ment and fun of the occasion to invite the company to 
come in comic costumes, with paper false-faces. It might 
be suggested to the guests that these costumes be pieced 
together of odds and ends rather than anything costly or 
elaborate. And if prominent or historical characters are 
impersonated, they should be in caricature. Most of the 
company can be relied upon to think out laughable devices 
in honor of the date. 

Have one of the family stationed at the doorway to 
announce the guests in their assumed characters as they 
arrive. The announcer may use a papier-mache mega- 
phone, which will cause no end of amusement if the room 
is small. Many of the characters will come in groups, 
when, of course, the announcements become doubly funny 
owing to the amusing combinations. 



APRIL FOOL AND OTHER PARTIES 115 

In honor of the day the hostess might impersonate Folly, 
arraying herself in as ludicrous a manner as possible, and 
handing to each arriving guest one of the famiUar little 
baby rattles representing a jester on a stick (or a home- 
made substitute for this). Not until this gift is accepted 
does the newcomer notice the tiny card attached thereto, 
which calls upon him or her to perform some antics for 
the amusement of the company. 

These stunts should be different for the men and 
women. For instance, a man may be requested to illus- 
trate in pantomime how a girl puts up her hair, while a 
girl whistles a tune, rolls an umbrella or sharpens a 
pencil. These performances will keep the company 
amused and interested until all the guests are on hand, 

THE TRICK PENCIL 

On entrance each guest is requested to inscribe his or 
her name on a tablet provided for this purpose, and each 
is given a trick pencil that bends when one attempts to 
write. In the dressing room there are placed on the 
toilet table, flour for face powder, imitation cakes of soap, 
mirrors which distort the features, and any other such 
tricks the hostess may plan with which to " catch " her 
guests. 

"fixing" the wraps 

Someone who is " in the secret " attends to the wraps 
and overcoats in the dressing rooms. This is accom- 
plished by putting a spool of white cotton into each upper 
coat pocket. Thread the loose end of thread into a needle, 
and bring the needle out through the pocket to the under- 
side of the coat and out again on the lapel of the coat. 
Unthread the needle and leave about an inch of white 
thread hanging there. Every guest will be caught trying 



ii6 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

to pick off the innocent thread! He probably won't pull 
out many yards of thread before he will see the joke. 
Another way to play the trick is to put the spool into 
the hostess' pocket, and leave the end of the thread show- 
ing on the dress, from which every guest is likely to 
attempt to remove it, which will result in all sorts of 
ridiculous complications. 

PAINT SIGNS AND PITFALLS 

On the woodwork on both sides of the doorway tack 
large placards on which has been written in big letters 
" Beware of the paint." 

Paint, it unquestionably is, but, as likely as not, dry for 
years. Just the same, the guests will keep away from it 
until they appreciate the joke. 

At the living-room door arrange prominently, so as to 
extend a greeting to the newcomer even sooner than the 
hostess does, a dummy figure with outstretched hand. On 
the table, or elsewhere within reach, have an open box of 
candy surmounted by a^ placard, with skull and cross 
bones, which reads : " Poison. Use With Care " — or 
anyother nonsense that rises to mind. 

Pitfalls and snares for the unwary are all around. A 
silver coin is glued to the floor. A handkerchief is fast- 
ened to the floor. A vase of artificial flowers have a little 
snuff or pepper sprinkled on them — those who smell will 
sneeze. An artificial mouse is attached to a curtain. 
Slyly pin papers, bearing different inscriptions, on the 
backs of some of the guests. One may read: "Please 
tell me my name." All who read it will tell him his name, 
which becomes monotonous. " Please poke me gently," 
" Please make me laugh," " Please hold my hand " — these 
and many other foolish things will seem funny on All 
Fools' Day. 



APRIL FOOL AND OTHER PARTIES 117 

" IT IS TO LAUGH " 

" It is to laugh " is a very lively game for an April Fool 
Party. The players form a circle, taking hold of hands, 
and circle around one of the players who is blindfolded 
and holds a staff or a cane. When he raps on the floor 
with the cane they all stand still. He then points the 
cane tov/ard some one, saying : " It is to laugh." The 
person touched by the cane, or nearest to it, places the 
end of the cane close to his mouth and laughs. If his 
name is guessed by the player in the center they change 
places and circle again ; if not, they circle until the player 
in the center succeeds in naming the owner of the laugh. 

Each guest is provided with a sheet of white paper and 
scissors and is asked to cut out a goose. After all are 
cut pin them to a sheet of black calico, and select judges 
to choose the best. This produces a great deal of fun, as 
some of the figures are ofttimes grotesque. For the best 
goose is given a large china or bisque goose in a nest of 
cotton ; beside it a yellow china or candy egg, bearing this 
inscription : " The goose that laid the golden egg." The 
one making the most ridiculous goose receives a tall 
jester's cap, bearing the words, "What a goose!" which 
he or she must wear throughout the evening. 

One room may be devoted to the Great White Prophet. 
Here is a huge draped figure all in white, with a white 
mask and seated on a high white throne. The guests are 
brought to this room one by one and told that they must 
kneel down before the Prophet, and, bowing three times, 
must repeat : " Great White Prophet, what have I done ? " 
The answer comes in a sepulchral voice : " You have 
made a fool of yourself." 

You might next announce that you have a picture that 
you would like to show, that it has given you a great deal 
of pleasure, and doubtless will give the others as much. 



ii8 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Withdraw a curtain, revealing a mirror with " April 
Fool " written on it with soap, when you have one or two 
expectant persons in front of it. 

In the same room might be arranged an Art Gallery, 
using the following Fake Exhibits : 

FAKE EXHIBITS 

" Fifty Views of Washington " — Fifty two-cent stamps. 

" Fifty Views of the Panama Canal " — Fifty Panama 
stamps. 

" Fifty Points in Colorado " — A sketch of Colorado with 
fifty dots. 

"Among the Rockies " — Several rocking chairs (doll furni- 
ture and others). 

Place a large letter " C " on each end of a strip of card- 
board which must ^and north and south. The letter at the 
north end is " The North Sea," and " Below the North 
Sea" is the lower letter. 

General Cobb and his Colonels — A cob of corn. 

The Bust of a Commentator — A potato. 

The American Elevator — A yeast cake. 

The Rose of Castile — Castile soap in rows. 

A Swimming Match — A match in a glass of water. 

The Peacemakers — A pair of scissors. 

Study in Black and White — A piece of chalk and coal. 

A Diamond Pin — A dime and pin. 

A Pair of Slippers — ■ Banana peels. 

Extracts From Many Pens — 'A penwiper. 

The Unopened Letter — The letter " O." 

BURLESQUE TABLEAUX 

Burlesque tableaux of well-known historical or legen- 
dary incidents will be found a capital form of amusement. 
Although they should be thought out, they need not neces- 
sarily be rehearsed in advance. This entertainment 
should come as a complete surprise to the larger portion 



APRIL FOOL AND OTHER PARTIES 119 

of the guests — that is, to all but those who take part. 

Let the announcer give the title of the tableau in sten- 
torian tones, with his megaphone, just before the folding 
doors are opened or the curtains drawn back. 

For the tableaux you might try " Bluebeard's Wives." 
Bluebeard is seen standing, sword in hand, while around 
him on the curtain hang the heads of the ill-fated spouses. 
To produce the heads, cut holes in the sheet and let the 
actors thrust their heads through these, after which fasten 
the loosened hair to the curtain around the head with a 
safety pin. This tableau would be startling were it not 
for a sign reading, " We Suffered in the Cause of Votes 
for Women," or anything else which is innocent and gives 
the tableau a humorous twist. 

Another one might be " Queen Elizabeth and Sir Walter 
Raleigh " in the cloak-spreading incident — greatly marred 
by the enormous pasteboard noses worn by the knight and 
the queen, while Elizabeth carries a large umbrella for 
which history offers no excuses. 

Follow this with a " Midsummer Night's Dream," where 
you can show a sleeper, in funny cotton nightcap with 
large tassel, awakened from his peaceful slumber by an 
elephantine mosquito made of raw cotton and crepe paper. 
The dreamer's panic is vividly suggested by his attitude. 

" Cinderella " and the little glass slipper must not be 
overlooked. In this tableau the prince kneels before the 
celebrated heroine of the chimney corner and extends upon 
his hand a tiny slipper, while Cinderella extends in compe- 
tition a foot padded out to proportions truly gigantic in 
comparison. 

April First Refreshment Novelties 
The decorations consist of spring flowers and ferns, 
yellow and white predominating, it being the nearest ap- 



120 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

proach to sunlight and giving opportunity to use the bright 
Httle crocuses and daffodils, with white narcissuses to 
give delicate tones. For the table these colors should also 
prevail. In the center place a large white or yellow cake 
surmounted by a toy jester's figure, with white and yellow 
ribbons festooned from his pointed cap to the table below, 
held in place by small white cotton geese. Vases of 
daffodils and narcissuses, and yellow shades for lamps or 
candles, may be used should the day be cloudy. China of 
white and gold would add a charm to this table. White 
and gold bonbon dishes, or ordinary dishes might be 
covered with crepe paper, some yellow, some white, tied 
with white and yellow ribbons. These should contain 
small candies hidden under a layer of white beans, coffee 
grains, rice or other grains. 

Ordinary refreshments may be served on dishes not or- 
dinarily used for that particular purpose. Use bowls or 
soup dishes instead of cups and saucers, vegetable dishes, 
cups, etc., where plates or platters should be used. The 
clever hostess will, no doubt, think of many ways, 
wise and otherwise, to serve refreshments on such an 
occasion. 

Another good idea for table decoration is a won- 
derful " floral " centerpiece composed of potato and 
radish roses nestled amid parsley and celery-top foliage. 
The place-cards may be adorned with miniature coin 
purses, empty save for a card, inscribed " April Fool." 
The napkins should be folded in the form of fool's caps, 
and the favors might be miniature jester's baubles con- 
sisting of small bisque doll heads dressed in cap and bells 
and fastened to the ends of short, ribbon-wound wands. 
Jester's sticks may be sticks of red and white peppermint 
candy tied with strips of red baby ribbon, to which tiny 
bells are attached. 



APRIL FOOL AND OTHER PARTIES 121 

RED AND WHITE MENU 

If your color scheme is red and white for your table, 
carry out the same idea in your menu, which would be : 

Lobster Canape 

Cream of Celery Soup 

Chicken en Casserole, with Vegetables 

Lettuce Salad, Garnished with Beets and Mayonnaise 

April Fool Dainty 

Cream Cheese and Crackers 

Coffee 

The " April Fool Dainty " may be vanilla or lemon 
sherbet, ice, or ice cream frozen in cone shapes. These 
are each covered with a miniature fool's hat. As this 
course is served, the hostess might warn her guests of the 
significance of the day, and she may rest assured each 
guest will lift the little hat ever so gingerly, 

APRIL FOOL MENU 

Blue Points on the Half Shell 

Bouillon Crackers 

Salted Nuts 

Roast Pork Tenderloin Fish Apple Sauce 

Dressing Potato Puffs 

Duck Fruit Salad 

Bavarian Cream Coffee Fancy Cakes 

" Blue points on the half shell " are half eggshells with 
points on them made with blue pencil. " Bouillon " is 
plain water, the " crackers " are fire crackers, and the 
" salted nuts " the nuts belonging to iron bolts, heavily 
sprinkled with salt. The " duck " is a square of duck 
cloth, while the " fruit salad " is a bona-fide dish served 
in orange cups, the cut-off piece being replaced so as to 
conceal the contents. The " fancy cakes " are sample 



122 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

cakes of toilet soap. Guest-size or hotel-size cakes may 
be used. If one wishes to serve a complete menu, sub- 
stitutes for the mock dishes may be served as soon as they 
are removed from the table. 

OTHER MOCK DISHES 

Other mock dishes suitable for menus of this kind are : 
Hot chocolate with whipped cream, which is bouillon 
served in chocolate cups with a spoonful of salted, stiffly- 
beaten white of egg floating on the surface; assorted 
cakes (fish cakes) ; jelly with whipped sauce (jellied 
tomato salad with whipped cream mayonnaise). 

Among other dishes, mock baked beans and brown 
bread may be served. Small beanpots may be filled with 
peanuts which have been salted without removing the red 
skins, and chocolate cake may be baked in a baking-powder 
can and cut in rounds, after the manner of brown bread. 

Some clever April Fool candies will create a good deal 
of fun and are easy to make. Try April Fool caramels, 
which are made by cutting candles or paraffin in squares 
and coating it with chocolate. Some imitation chocolate 
chips may be mixed in with some real ones. They are 
made by dipping tiny chips and bits of wood in melted 
chocolate. You might also coat some little round wads 
of cotton batting with chocolate, resulting in some old- 
fashioned chocolates or chocolate marshmallows. 

April Fool nuts may be served also. Open some English 
walnuts carefully, take out the meats, and put inside the 
shell some wee favor or a little folded paper, saying: 
"April Fool." Tiny dolls, little bits of paste jewelry and 
miniature animals are all appropriate surprises. Each 
shell may contain a penny or a dime if you like. Glue the 
shells together, and no one will suspect that the nuts are 
not what they seem. 



APRIL FOOL AND OTHER PARTIES 123 

Peanuts, also, make good trick nuts. Halve them, fill 
them with tiny presents or jokes, or else have them empty 
and glue them together once more. 

OTHER MENUS 

Sliced Samples 

(Bread and Butter) 

Separated Similars Served with Cool Impudence 

(Baked Beans and Chili Sauce) 

Hidden Tears a la Dumb-Bell 

(Pickled Onions on a Toothpick) 

Swelled Swimmers Nuts Without Shells 

(Fried Cakes) (Doughnuts) 

Boston's Overthrow — No Grounds for Complaint 

(Tea) 
Chip Off the Old Block Spring's Offering 

(Toothpick) (Water) 

Snow Drift Cherub's Diet 

(Ice Cream) (Angel Cake) 

Tea 
Pie a la Mode 
Tapioca Pudding Hamburg Steak 

Fruit Salad 
Crackers Nuts 

Coffee 

The first course appears on the last menu as " tea," 
(the menu appears to be served backward on account of 
the misleading names. This is another time the guests 
are fooled, because they think they have to eat a dinner 
served backward, whereas it really follows the usual or- 
der). The "tea" is beef bouillon made from bouillon 
cubes. Pour the bouillon from a teapot and serve in tea- 
cups. Serve with this little cubes of white bread from a 
sugar bowl, cut to represent loaf sugar. If the bread is 
cut and dried a little it aids the illusion. 



124 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Second course, " pie a la mode " and " tapioca pudding." 
For " pie a la mode " bake a meat pie, using the regulation 
piecrust in a pie plate, with chicken, veal or some such 
meat as filling. Serve like pie, and place cones of mashed 
potato to represent the ice cream on the top of each piece. 
Serve with this the " tapioca pudding," which is scalloped 
corn with an unsweetened meringue baked on the top. 

Following this course comes " Hamburg steak." This 
is a most realistic salad, served in paper meat dishes, 
which may be obtained from your butcher. Make a salad 
of chopped pickled beets with a little chopped cabbage 
and the whites of two hard-boiled eggs. The yolks, 
mixed with oil and vinegar, are used for the dressing. 
Mold each portion into the semblance of raw Hamburg, 
place on a square of paraffin paper in the paper meat dish, 
and garnish with a sprig of parsley. The dish is now 
complete, resembling raw Hamburg so much that the 
guests begin to eat very gingerly. 

Following this are what appear as a " fruit salad " and 
" crackers " ^ orange jelly, and what looks like "mayon- 
naise dressing " is a thin custard ; the crackers are long, 
thin, sweet wafers. Passed with these, simply because 
their appearance could not be omitted, are little almond- 
shaped confections. And for the sake of better digestion 
a demi-tasse of black coffee may be served. 

This is really a very easy dinner to serve, as everything 
may be prepared in advance and heated when ready to 
serve. 



Things Are Not Always What They Seem 

First of April parties have grown in popularity because 
they afford such a good chance for practical joking that 
is not harmful, and I want to tell you about an unusual 



APRIL FOOL AND OTHER PARTIES 125 

kind of supper to be served on that night. The account 
of such a supper as it came to me said that the guests were 
invited to a " Chicken Supper," but instead of being served 
roast or fricasseed fowl they were served the kind of sup- 
per a chicken would like — corn dishes, lettuce, in salad, 
etc. The tablecloth and napkins bore the chanticleer 
design. 

For a fools'-day dinner, the centerpiece is a take-off on 
the flower-float centerpiece now in vogue. A low glass 
dish is filled with vinegar-tinted water, in which maca- 
roons growing on wire stems, with leaves of leeks, rise 
from a flower block made of a large potato. On the rim 
of the bowl are perched two birds, each made of one 
large and one small radish fastened together with tooth- 
picks. The stems of the radish leaves, cut about three 
quarters of an inch long, form tails, and slices of radish 
the outspread wings. Toothpick beaks and clove eyes 
complete them. Similar birds are made to perch on the 
rims of the water glasses, and their beaks are slit to re- 
ceive the place-cards. 

The candlesticks, of brushed brass, are decorated with 
yellow ribbons tipped with jester's bells. The menu for 
this supper is : 

Foors Cup 

Fried Sole 

First-of-April Roast, With Celery and Fried Scallops 

Jester's Sherbet 

Egg Salad Ice Cream 

" Fool's Cup " is a fruit cup served in glasses with 
stems. A dunce figure with a nut for a head, and a fools- 
cap, is dressed in a full skirt of yellow crepe paper, which 
conceals the glass, and is tied in around the foot with 
yellow ribbon. If the glass proves to be empty the fun 



126 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

will be increased. The ice cream is frappe coffee served 
in sherbet glasses instead of cups. 

Fried sole is really a favor for the ladies. A lamb's- 
wool sole that is used as a powder pat is " served " gar- 
nished. The genuine fish course is brought in later. 

First-of-April Roast. The roast is a turkey made en- 
tirely of almond paste (marzipan) and tinted with cara- 
mel coloring. It is solemnly sliced and handed around, 
the genuine roast being brought in later with accompani- 
ments. 

This Roast would be made to order for you by a con- 
fectioner. 

The fried scallops quoted in the menu are really pieces 
of egg-plant cut with scalloped edges, cooked and served 
with the real roast. 

Jester's sherbet — so called because it is served in sher- 
bet glasses. It is really a fruit salad with the top covered 
smoothly with whipped cream garnished with a nut. The 
cups are placed in little fluted paper cases and have paper 
doilies underneath. The handles of the cups are decorated 
with jester's bells attached to yellow ribbons. 

Egg salad. In this instance it is a pudding. Blanc- 
mange is molded in eggshells and served on lettuce leaves, 
with soft custard to simulate mayonnaise. The blanc- 
mange used in the egg salad, and the cafe frappe may be 
made according to recipes in any good cookbook. 

• Other " April-Fool " Dishes 

April Fool's Table. In the centre of the table make a 
circle of tulips in the middle of which place a stool which 
can be made of either wood or paper top with wooden 
sticks and paper strips glued to simulate rounds. Buy a 
clown head and put this onto a doll's body so as to get 



APRIL FOOL AND OTHER PARTIES 127 

arms and feet. Make a paper cap of white paper and dot 
it with red paper dots and also put a tassel made of the 
some coloring on the top of the cap. Around his neck 
place a white paper ruche with red dots on one-half and 
for a dress make one of grey cambric dotted with pink 
on one side. He should then be made to stand on the 
stool with ribbons held in his hand which lead to long 
narrow candy boxes covered with gold foil paper to look 
like the proverbial gold brick. The boxes hold bonbons 
or nuts. At each place is a yellow dunce cap with the 
words " April Fool " in red lettersi, to be worn by the 
guests during the meal. These cover the plates and serve 
as favors and place cards. No article of food is visible 
— this is part of the April Fool. The knivesi, forks, and 
spoons are tied in fringed paper bonbon cases and stood 
on end. Around the extreme edge of the table runs a red 
paper ribbon from which hang odd lengths of red ribbon 
with tiny bells on the ends. 

All Fools' Cake. This is an excellent dish to serve with 
dessert on April first and is sure to be appreciated. Either 
an inverted tin pan with the bottom removed, or a circular 
band of stiff white cardboard may serve as the sides of 
the cake, while a circle cut from heavy paper is pasted 
smoothly over the top. Next cover the cake smoothly 
with plain white icing, leaving a circular spot about the 
size of a silver dollar on the top. Cut away the paper 
from this spot, place the "cake" on a serving dish con- 
cealing a pile of small, nonsensical favors and draw nar- 
row red and green ribbons attached to them through the 
top opening. Fasten a tiny brass bell to the end of each 
ribbon, cover the opening with a fool's cap of white paper 
ornamented with red rosettes and the " cake " is ready to 
serve. Send to the table with a knife to keep up appear- 
ance until the last minute when the hostess gives the 



128 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

invitation to each guest to select a bell and pull a 
" plum " from the cake. 

" Cooky Clotvns " or the Circus Cooky are always ac- 
ceptable for an April Party. Make any good cooky mix- 
ture, roll thin and cut in fantastic shapes such as clowns 
and prancing bears and other animals. Bake carefully 
and when cool cover with plain icing. Features and any 
finishing touches may be added as soon as this is hard by 
means of a tiny brush dipped in melted chocolate. 

April Fools' Caps. Mash and season to taste hot boiled 
potatoes, mould to represent tall pointed caps and decorate 
with the letters " Fool " cut from canned Spanish pep- 
pers. Remove a portion of potato from the bottom of 
each cap, fill the cavities with creamed veal or chicken and 
arrange on an individual serving dish. Reheat and gar- 
nish with parsley before sending to the table. 

"Dunce" Cream. A novel dessert for April first may 
be arranged in this way. Chill and whip a pint of heavy 
cream, sweetening to taste and adding chopped nuts or 
candied fruit if desired. Heap this in a glass dish and 
place it in the middle of a large serving tray; around it 
arrange inverted ice cream cones decorated with paper 
bands bearing the word " Dunce." Serve a generous 
spoonful of the cream in a " cap " to each person. 

"Apple Fools." Wash and core a number of fine red 
apples, allowing one for each person. Fill the centres 
with a mixture of chopped walnuts and preserved pine- 
apple, sprinkle with sugar and bake until tender but whole, 
basting frequently with a syrup of sugar and water. Set 
aside until thoroughly chilled. Then with a bit of white 
icing mark a comical face on each apple and heap with 
stiff meringue to simulate a cap. Serve with pineapple 
syrup. 

April Apples. Select large, perfect apples, cut in halves 



APRIL FOOL AND OTHER PARTIES 129 

crosswise and scoop out the centre leaving only a thin 
shell. Line these with crisp heart leaves of lettuce, fill 
each nest with apple and nut salad, and replace the tops 
of the apples, pressing them down to conceal the dividing 
lines as much as possible. 

Haystack Ice Cream. This is decidedly out of the or- 
dinary, but not difficult to serve. Place a small mound 
of any preferred flavor of ice cream on each plate, and 
sprinkle with shredded cocoanut which has been brovwied 
in the oven, stirring often to prevent burning. Tiny pitch- 
forks thrust into the stacks add a realistic touch. 

Fake Crullers. A very realistic " cruller " is made of 
brown crepe paper and " sugared " with chalk. To make 
the paper crullers take a five-inch strip of newspaper and 
wind around the hand, to make a padding of the right size 
and shape, with a hole in the center; cut a one-inch strip 
of brown crepe paper and wind it to the desired shape and 
thickness. Coat sparingly with white shellac; before the 
shellac thoroughly dries, dust with talcum powder or with 
chalk for sugar. 

Chicken Pie. This is intended as a prize for the win- 
ning partners in a game. While the crust is real the 
contents are feathers and cotton. 

The Bottomless Basket. This has a thin paper in the 
bottom, which is fastened only on one side. When lifted 
the contents, of course, will drop. It may be developed 
either for individual use or four of them may be placed 
on the table to hold bonbons, nuts, etc. 

The Iceblock. Where ice cream is served at the party 
this cake of ice, which is really a cover made of paraffin 
paper, may be placed over it just before serving. 

It is formed by pasting together for top and sides pieces 
of paraffin paper of sufficient size to cover a block of ice 
cream. The tongs are made of wire wrapped with black 



130 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

crepe paper; a bow of the black crepe paper may be added, 
or not, as desired. 



Quotations Suitable for Placecards at an April-Fool 
Party 

" Laugh and the world laughs with you." 

" The man that loves and laughs must sure do well." 

" One inch of joy surmounts of grief a span 
Because to laugh is proper to the man." 

" How much lies in laughter ; the cipher-key wherewith we 
decipher the whole man." 

" We must laugh before we are happy for fear we die before 
we laugh at all. 

"And frame your mind to mirth and merriment, 
Which bars a thousand harms and lengthens life." 

" As merry as the day is long." 

" 'Tis ever common that men are merriest when they are from 
home," 

" But a merrier man, 
Within the limit of becoming mirth 
I never spent an hour's talk withal." 

" I had rather have a fool to make me merry than experience 
to make me sad." 

"Jog on, jog on, the footpath way, 
And merrily hent the stile-a, 
A merry heart goes all the day. 
Your sad tires in a mile-a." 



APRIL FOOL AND OTHER PARTIES 131 

" Merrily, merrily, shall I live now 
Under the blossoms that hang on the bough." 

" Hang sorrow ! care will kill a cat, 
And therefore let's be merry." 

"As Tammie glow'red, amazed and curious, 
The mirth and fun grew fast and furious." 

"A careless song, with a little nonsense in it now and then 
does not misbecome a monarch." 

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." 

" Thou little thinkest what a little foolery governs the world," 

"A little nonsense now and then 
Is relished by the wisest men." 



CHAPTER VIII 

SPRINGTIME AND EASTER PARTIES 

Pancake Party for Shrove Tuesday 

Invitations for the pancake party may be sent on circles 
of light brow^n paper, tinted a darker brow^n around the 
edges, to imitate a pancake. 

The follovi^ing rime v^ould be appropriate : 

A jolly pancake party 

We have planned with greatest care. 

You'll find a welcome hearty, 

And we'll hope to see you there. 

Just what we'll do, are you in doubt? 

Well, you must come, and you'll find out. 

Lively games could appropriately be used for the be- 
ginning of the evening, after which partners are found by 
the follow^ing means : Cut a large circle of light brown 
paper and make a number of slits in it. Through each of 
these pass a length of narrow brown baby ribbon. The 
circle is hung in a doorway, the men being stationed on 
one side and the girls on the other. Each takes an end of 
ribbon, and, at a given signal, pulls on it. The circle of 
paper is torn and the two persons holding the same ribbon 
are then partners. The hostess should have in readiness 
several bowls of a good pancake batter, and also griddles 
and " turners." Each couple in turn make griddlecakes, 
the man doing the cooking and the lady carrying them to 
132 



SPRINGTIME AND EASTER PARTIES 133 

the guests, or vice versa, as preferred. With the pan- 
cakes should be served maple sirup, pickles and coffee. 
This party is especially appropriate for Shrove Tuesd-ay. 



For the Easter Party or Luncheon 

The room may be decorated with almost any of the 
spring flowers such as daffodils, tulips, narcissuses or 
violets. If these are not available paper blossoms and 
leaves fastened to the bare branches of trees may be 
substituted. 

For a floral table decoration use as a centerpiece a 
fancy green basket filled with daffodils, narcissuses and 
dehcate ferns. At the guests' plates smaller baskets filled 
with daffodils would be most attractive. Or the center- 
piece might be a toy wagon filled with Easter eggs or 
favors and drawn by toy rabbits or chickens. Appro- 
priate favors such as tiny rabbits and chicks in the form 
of boxes which may be filled with candy may be obtained 
from any favor counter during the Easter season. 

Refreshments might consist of deviled egg sandwiches, 
cream cheese sandwiches, cakes in egg and rabbit shape, 
frozen custard and fruit punch. 

TO MAKE PLACE CARDS 

The following s'uggestions may be helpful in planning 
for menu or place cards, as they are simple o»f construc- 
tion and very inexpensive: One of the little cotton bun- 
nies seated on his haunches may be attached with the aid 
of a drop of glue to the upper left-hand corner of a card 
cut from a sheet of heavy, rough-finished water-color 
paper in a soft shade of gray-green. The tiny carrot 
which he usually holds in his paws should be removed and 
a couple of violets drawn through in its place. 



134 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

One of the tiny little yellow chicks also makes an attrac- 
tive place card when affixed to the corner of a plain white 
card. The card may be given a narrow border of gold 
paint or of yellow water color, and the lettering should 
then be done with the same material. 

A sprig of pussy willow while still fresh and pliant may 
be slightly bent so that it extends from a lower corner 
across the side and top of a soft pastel gray card. A tiny 
drop of glue on the lower side of some of the " pussies " 
holds it in place. 

From the smaller end of a tiny white egg chip off about 
one-third of the shell, leaving an irregular edge. Outline 
the top with a little gold paint and attach the shell with a 
drop of glue to a white card which has also been given a 
narrow gold border. 

Well to the left of the center of a white or soft gray 
placecard make two small incisions about three-eighths of 
an inch apart with the point of a sharp penknife. 
Through these openings draw a piece of baby ribbon (the 
color of violet stems), leaving a tiny loop on the right 
side, and attach the ends neatly to the under side of the 
card with library paste. Just before the cards are to be 
used draw two or three long stemmed violets or other 
spring flowers through this loop. 

An extremely simple and yet pretty placecard is made 
by affixing one of the larger Easter stickers (one in gold 
and white showing an Easter lily is a good design) to a 
plain white card. An appropriate Easter quotation might 
be written on the reverse side of the card. 

A Pussy Willow Party 

The invitation for the Pussy Willow Party may be 
decorated with a pen-and-ink sketch of a kitten, with a 



SPRINGTIME AND EASTER PARTIES 135 

pussy-willow bud glued firmly in place to form the body. 
The following rime is appropriate: 

A Pussy Willow Party 
I have planned with greatest care; 
You'll find a welcome hearty, 
And I hope that you'll be there. 

The room should be decorated with pussy willow ar- 
ranged in jars and baskets, while the following signs 
placed here and there will create a great deal o.f amuse- 
ment: 

"Me-ow Softly" 

" No Dogs Allowed in the Interests of Public Safety " 

"Avoid Fur-Flying as Far as Possible" 

" Don't Rub Me the Wrong Way " 

CAT CONTEST 

The following " Cat Contest " may be used for enter- 
taining the guests : 

Mrs. Cat — i — Brown was suflfering from — 2 — and 
Mr. — 3 — Brown had — 4 — attacks. The Physician there- 
fore placed them in the same — 5 — and advised a vacation 
trip. 

Visiting a store in a distant city, Mr. Brown purchased a 

— 6 — for his wife's ring, and some — 7 — to make some tea. 
Resting in the park under a — 8 — tree, Mrs. Brown shud- 
dered as a large — 9 — crawled over her hand. On a branch 
of the tree sat a — 10 — , which uttered — 11 — so naturally 
that Mr. Brown exclaimed : " I wonder what that —=12 — 
to now." 

In a near-by pond were many — 13 — , and some — 14 — 
hung on the willow trees. On a distant hillside a herd of 

— 15 — were grazing. 

As Mr. Brown desired information on the subject of the 
— 16 — of Rome, they visited the public library and looked 
over the — 17 — . They read history so ancient as to^ tell of 



136 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

the — 18 — of Noah's time ; also', how the Greeks and Romans 
hurled stones from — 19 — . 

Continuing their journey, they spent a pleasant day, viewing 
the world's greatest — 20 — . 

They next started for the — ^21 — mountains but Mr. Brown 
developed a severe cold, and, fearing a — 22 — , Mrs. Brown 
decided to return home immediately. 



Key 



(i) Catherine 


(6) Cat's-eye 


(14) Catkins 


(2) Catarrh 


(7) Catnip 


(15) Cattle 


(3) Cataline 


(8) Catalpa 


(16) Catacombs 


(4) Cataleptic 


(9) Caterpillar 


(17) Catalogue 


(5) Category 


(10) Catbird 


(18) Cataclysm 




(1.1) Catcalls 


(19) Catapults 




(12) Catsup 


(20) Cataract 




(13.) Catfish 


(21) Catskill 

(22) Catastrophe 



A round Japanese basket filled with pussy willow and 
daffodils forms an attractive centerpiece, while candle 
shades may be decorated with black cats cut from gummed 
paper. These may also be used on placecards, or a pussy 
willow bud may be used for the body of the cat, and the 
head and tail drawn with pen and ink. Toy cats are ap- 
propriate as favors. 



A Windy Weather Party 

A party of this kind presents an excellent opportunity 
to the hostess who likes to use Japanese material in her 
deco'rations. 

Invitations written on small paper umbrellas sent (in- 
side out) in mailing tubes would be very appropriate. 

The same idea should be carried out in the decoration 



SPRINGTIME AND EASTER PARTIES 137 

of the table and rooms. Pussy willows and Japanese wind 
bells may be used profusely, and for flowers, daffodils, 
hyacinths and crocuses would be most appropriate. 

For a centerpiece place two little Japanese dolls in a 
mass of hyacinths and ferns. Between them should be a 
paper umbrella, very badly broken, suggesting a March 
wind. From the chandelier suspend a hoop with many 
ribbons dangling from it, and on the end of each ribbon 
tie a spring crocus. This will give the appearance of a 
flowery wind bell. 

The placecards may be plain white cards each with a 
drawing of a wind-tossed figure on it and a spray of pussy 
willow thrust through the corner. 

For souvenirs daintily painted fans would be appro- 
priate and useful. 

Another attractive centerpiece may be made of grasses 
and slender delicate flowers arranged so that they seem 
stirred by breezes. Among them place delicately colored 
artificial butterflies and tiny dolls as fairies. From the 
ceiling suspend Japanese wind bells, and from them hang 
wreaths of flowers, or bright-colored ribbons which are 
held in the hands of the " doll fairies " on the table. 

The placecards should be decorated with windmills, 
weather vanes or wind flowers, with quotations such as 

" Whichever way the wind doth blow 
Some heart is, glad to have it so." 

" It's an ill wind that blows nobody good." 

" Never mind the wind or weather, 
So long as we are all together." 

Light, appetizing refreshments should be served, such 
as dainty jellies, salads, ices, dishes with whipped cream, 
etc. 



138 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 



A game called " Blizzard " will furnish amusement for 
the occasion. A long hall, with all furniture removed, 
will serve as the "grounds." Two wide tapes fastened 
near the two ends of the hall are used as " goals." Each 
"goal" scores' five points. The players are divided into 
sides. A celluloid or light-weight ball is placed in the 
middle of the hall, and each player is armed with a small 
fan. The object is to blow the ball over the opposite 
goal, which scores five for that side. The number of 
goals to a game may be planned to suit the players 
beforehand. 

YACHT RACE 

Have for another game a " yacht race." Hang a blue 
cheesecloth " sea " on the wall, making a race course and 
a landing place of white chalk. The guests, blindfolded, 
endeavor to pin small white paper sailboats to the landing 
place. Their attempts are very laughable, and when the 
game is finished the craft make an effective display if the 
boats are of good design. The tiniest cup it is possible 
to get may be given to the winner. 

BLOWING THE FEATHER 

" Blowing the Feather." A contest appropriate for this 
party is played as follows : Arrange four baskets " east, 
north, south and west." Assign the players, and provide 
each one with a small feather. The object is to see which 
group can first blow the feathers into the baskets, using 
palmleaf fans. Every " touchdown " in this game counts 
against rather than for the players. It is possible to ac- 
complish the task without touching the feathers or allow- 
ing them to touch the floor. 



SPRINGTIME AND EASTER PARTIES 139 

A Spring Millinery Party 

Have the invitations typewritten and as businesslike in 
appearance as possible, for the hostess poses for the time 
being as the proprietor of a fashionable millinery em- 
porium, The invitation might read like this : 



Miss 



Dear Madam : 

We are in great need of competent milliners to trim 
for us during our spring opening. Your name has 
been suggested to us as that of a person who under- 
stands the business thoroughly and who has both 
originality and ability to copy skillfully and quickly 
our Parisian models. If you desire a position, kindly 

call at our workshop, No Street, at one 

o'clock next Thursday afternoon, when we shall test 
all of the applicants, awarding positions to those 
showing the greatest ability. Kindly be punctual as 
that is one of the chief requirements in our work- 
room. Hoping that you may favor us by calling at 
the above named hour and place, we are. 

Yours very sincerely, 



Manufacturers and Importers of Fine Millinery. 
(Bring a thimble.) 

These typewritten letters may be made even more 
business like by cutting out pictures of hats from fashion 
magazines or catalogs and mounting them as letter head- 
ings. 

Having sent out her invitations, the hostess arranges 
her rooms so as to look as much like a work shop as pos- 
sible, removing all pictures, bric-a-brac, etc., and using 
camp chairs instead of the ordinary furniture. Perhaps 
her own milliner will lend her some posters from whole- 



140 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

sale millinery houses, and with these upon the walls to 
serve as " Parisian Models," a tradesmanlike appearance is 
secured. 

The materials should consist of the following : A num- 
ber of rolls of crepe paper of various colors, spools of 
thread; large tubes of paste; hat wire; fine wire for flower 
stems; bunches of stamens, etc. 

In selecting the paper allow one roll to each guest, and 
have a predominence of white, black and pale tints, with 
a couple of rolls of green for leaves, and one roll each of 
the bright colors, such as scarlet, orange, purple, etc. 
These gay colors are to be used as trimmings, if desired, 
but the hats themselves are to be made of black, white, 
corn color, pale pink, violet, blue or green. 

When the eventful day arrives, and the guests appear, 
they are shown into the workshop. Here the hostess 
greets them and introduce them to Madame De Vere, a 
" Parisian milliner who is to be head milliner this season." 
Madame De Vere is, of course, some friend who can carry 
off the part well, and she presides over the affairs in the 
shop. She should be got up in the extreme of fashion, 
with great quantities of false hair, and, although she is 
supposed to be " direct from Paris," it will be decidedly 
amusing if she can speak with an Irish brogue. 

Madame De Vere reads the references which are handed 
to her, and talks over the previous experience of the 
applicants. The guests who have a little humor and 
originality can greatly add to the general hilarity by pre- 
senting humorous testimonials. The " Madame " then 
tells the applicants that they must not only be able to make 
and trim hats, but they must be able to make and trim 
them to suit special customers. She assigns a certain 
customer to each milliner. These " customers " are merely 
pictures cut from magazines, and are distributed by pass- 



SPRINGTIME AND EASTER PARTIES 141 

ing them in a hat, no guest havmg a choice in the matter. 
One draws a picture of a baby and she plans a cunning 
little bonnet with wee rosebuds on it, while the one who 
draws a funny, prim old maid or a fat, comfortable old 
lady must build accordingly. 

There should be a time limit set, or, whenever the 
hostess sees that some hats are nearly finished, she may 
announce that fifteen minutes more will be allowed for 
the completion of the hats. 

Next comes the awarding of the prizes. One prize 
goes to the person who has made the prettiest hat, one to 
the one who has made the most unique hat and one to- the 
person who has made the most suitable one for her par- 
ticular customer. 

Applicants are then told that on account .of their great 
ability they are all chosen to fill existing vacancies, and 
the millinery test is over. 

Refreshments are then served. These may be simple 
or elaborate according to the desire of the hostess. 

If the gathering is a small one and the guests are 
seated around the dining table the central decoration on 
the table may be a large straw hat filled with flowers. 
Little hats about the size of a fifty-cent piece may be 
painted in water color or cut from fashion magazines, and 
mounted on toothpicks, the ends of which are set in big 
wooden button molds. These may be gilded to look just 
like store hatstands. By writing the guests' names on the 
reverse of the hats, they may serve as placecards. Little 
dolls' hats may be used for bonbon holders or nut cups. 

The following would be an interesting game to play 
after the luncheon or refreshments have been served. 

Cut out about forty printed hats from some magazine, 
paste them on cards of uniform size and mark a price on 
each one. Then cut across each card from corner to cor- 



142 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

ner. These pieces should be placed face down in a pile in 
the center of the table and sihuffled. Each person draws 
five pieces to start, then each, drawing one from his left- 
hand neighbor, tries to match parts. When a complete hat 
is laid on the table the owner draws two more cards from 
the pile in the middle. At the end the one having spent 
the most gets a booby prize, the one with the same number 
of hats for the least price gets first prize, and the one 
getting the only hat marked $5 is awarded third prize. 
An auto bonnet, a boudoir cap and a uatpin might be used 
for prizes. 

A Mail-Order Party 

Guests never spend a dull hour beneath the roof of a 
certain hostess, so they were sure of something unusual 
when they received invitations to a " Mail-Order Party." 
The invitations were typewritten on blanks from a well- 
known mail-order house, and the aim of the evening 
was to test thoroughly the fascination of catalogue 
buying. 

Business partners were first chosen. The men were 
given typewritten sheets listing partners available under 
such descriptions as : 

1864B — Economical, hard-working woman, close buyer. 
Easy to get along with if managed tactfully. We recom- 
mended this choice. 

1853B — Very beautiful woman. Ornamental rather than 
practical. Blonde or brunette. State color preferred. 

The ladies had been given the numbers, and partners 
were assigned amid great merriment. 

Well-known mail-order catalogues and blanks were then 
distributed, and each couple was to order a bill of goods 



SPRINGTIME AND EASTER PARTIES 143 

amounting to $79.43, a prize to be given to the ones who 
received the most and the best for their money. Frantic 
bargain hunting and heated deba.tes ensued until the 
orders were collected, read and voted upon. The prize 
winners received boxes of stationery. 

The men then wrote a catalogue description and illus- 
trated an article of women's wearing apparel, while the 
women described and illustrated a piece of machinery. 
The most original and clever productions won envelope 
openers as prizes. 

Menu cards and order blanks were distributed and 
each was told to make out a bill of fare for his or her 
supper. The menus were written and illustrated catalogue 
fashion ; for example : 

2345D — Chicken salad. On lettuce leaf — three parts 
chicken (white meat), one part celery. Mixed with mayon- 
naise. Extra value. 

9753J — Coffee. Java. Percolated. Boiling hot. With or 
without cream and sugar. State preference, otherwise sent 
clear. 

9754] — Coffee. Same as above, only lukewarm. 

367SM — Sandwiches. White bread, cut in thin slices. No 
crusts. Spread with good-quality butter. Sizes, small, 
medium and large. Do not forget to state size. 

The orders were collected by boys dressed in Boy Scout 
suits to resemble postmen, and the suppers were delivered 
by them done up in large parcel-post boxes. 

The party was most fun-provoking. Its success was 
due to its originality and the care with which the details 
were planned. 



144 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

An Eastertime Breakfast 

Grapefruit Topped with Candy Chicken 

Chopped Apple and Nuts in Shredded Cereal Nests, with 

Whipped Cream 

Chicken Toast Smothered Eggs in Ramekins 

Egg-Shaped Chicken Meat Balls in Nests of JuHenne Potatoes 

Rabbit Doughnuts Coffee 

Has any one ever thought how novel it would be if 
entertaining were done in the morning, when the break- 
fast-room is flooded with sunlight, rather than at noon 
or in the evening? This is a particularly good idea for 
Eastertime. People are really at their best in the morn- 
ing, and mothers with large families and few servants 
can readily arrange f-or an affair of this kind by doing 
much of the work the day before. 

The table should be set with snowy white napery, much 
more simply than for a luncheon or a dinner. An appro- 
priate centerpiece is one simulating a nest, which may be 
made from tiny strips of jewelers' tissue paper that can be 
procured at any jeweler's. This lends itself to such an 
arrangement on account of its resemblance to straw. The 
width and depth of the " nest " may be determined by the 
size of the table and the number of guests invited. The 
hollow nest is filled with eggs, which may be hard boiled, 
candy eggs, home-decorated eggs or egg-shaped boxes 
with favors inside. Chickens, apparently newly hatched, 
stand among the eggs and also on the sides of the nest. 
For the placecards candy chickens, just breaking out of 
their shells, are used, the name being written on the 
shell. Candy chickens also are perched on the tumblers. 



SPRINGTIME AND EASTER PARTIES 145 

An Azalea Decoration 

A simple luncheon decoration is obtained by buying a 
pink and white azalea and breaking it up into sprays to 
fill a shallow cut-glass bowl. Lay asparagus fern about 
on the table, and on the napkin at each plate put a single 
flower with leaves. For hors-d'oeuvres to harmonize with 
the color of the flowers scoop out the centers of small 
round beets and set each on a bed of cress. Fill the beets 
with chopped potato and the bits of beets previously re- 
moved, all highly seasoned with onion, celery, salt and 
paprika, and mixed with mayonnaise. Put a stoned olive 
on top of each. This is remarkably pretty on the table. 
The dessert may be a ball of white ice cream, served on 
rounds of strawberry cream, decorated with azalea leaves, 
and little cakes iced in pink and white. 

Daffodil and Violet Luncheon 

For a spring luncheon have a large centerpiece of 
dafifodils, with four small dishes of violets set in a square 
about it. Individual baskets of violets should be the 
favors, with a butterfly placecard poised on each. A suit- 
able hors-d'oeuvre for a luncheon of this kind is made by 
cutting large lemons in halves and removing the pulp. A 
slice is then cut from each end so that they will stand on 
the plates. Fill with flaked sardines (freed from bone 
and skin) mixed with ketchup or chili sauce. Put a bit 
of mayonnaise on top. Set them on beds of cress. The 
mints should be in violet and yellow. 

It is a dainty idea at such an affair to put a few drops 
of violet water in the water in the finger bowls, and let 
a few of the flowers float on top. 



146 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Easter Novelties 

Blown eggshells made into " character leads " represent- 
ing well-known lovers in fiction are a novelty for the 
Easter luncheon table — John Alden and Priscilla, for in- 
stance. 

Springtime in Old Japan 

Springtime in Old Japan is the idea in the decoration 
of a dainty table with its runners of Japanese crepe in 
cherry-blossom design, and its miniature cherry trees in 
jardinieres filled with Japanese sea moss. Fish-shaped 
porcelain trays hold salted nuts. 

This is imported, is always an alluring sentence when 
the shopkeeper tempts us with some beautiful fabric, so 
ofttimes, when arranging for a social affair, we are 
tempted to borrow some of the picturesque settings and 
supposedly characteristic accessories of our foreign 
friends. The Japanese affairs seem to be the most 
popular, doubtless because the decorations are all so at- 
tractive in their bright colors, and the customs so un- 
usual. To plan such a social the invitation would be 
effective written on Japanese rice paper, starting at the 
lower right-hand corner and writing from the bottom to 
the top of the paper, and from right to left as shown in 
the invitation below, which reads as follows : 

By this you are asked to my Japanese fete 
So bid your jinrikisha stop at my gate. 

For " An Evening in Japan," cards cut 
in the shape of Japanese lanterns, painted 
in red and gold with Japanese figures and 
decorations, may be used for invitations. 
The back of each card is plain white so 



E 


A 


E 


D 


T 


H 


T 


E 


A 


S 


E 


K 


G 


I 


F 


S 




K 




A 



SPRINGTIME AND EASTER PARTIES 147 

that an invitation or a program can be 
easily printed or hektographed on it. 

The rooms might be decorated with 
chrysanthemums, as they are the national 
flower of Japan, but, if they are too much 
trouble to make, an artistic decoration, 
similar to the Japanese cherry blossom, 
could be arranged in the following man- 
ner: Procure a quantity of bare branches 
of trees and to them wire either plain pink 
blossoms made of tissue paper or the small 
wild roses cut from wild-rose crepe paper, 
with an occasional leaf here and there, also 
cut from the paper. You might call the 
affair " A Cherry Blossom Fete." 

If you have a good story-teller among 
your young people provide program ma- 
terial for her use, and for your soloist 
Japanese love songs, of which there are a number obtain- 
able. 

" A Japanese Wedding Ceremony " is always interest- 
ing, but this would make almost an evening's entertain- 
ment in itself. 

If you wish to have a social for children they will have 
great fun in playing some of the real Japanese games, 
which are simple but require quick thought and dexterity. 
It is difficult to find a great number of Japanese games, 
but any kind of circle games would be appropriate, where 
the guests may play them seated on the floor in Japanese 
fashion. One contest might consist of picking grains of 
puffed rice from a teacup with chopsticks or meat skewers, 
and placing them in a saucer some distance away in a cer- 
tain length of time. 

Envelopes could be distributed containing jumbled let- 



Y 


I 


E 




M 


R 


S 


E 




N 


E 


R 


T 


I 


N 


A 


A 


J 


A 








P 


U 


P 


R 


A 








U 


J 


Y 


T 









S 


Y 


Y 


S 






M 


I 




D 




H 




I 





T 




B 


T 


Y 









B 




S 







148 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

ters of some of the largest cities of Japan; the names to 
be determined by straightening out the mixtures. 

Japanese post cards might be used as picture puzzles, 
cutting each one in several pieces and placing it in an 
envelope for each guest to straighten out. These cards 
have picturesque scenes that would please adults as well 
as children. 

If you wish to have a table of Japanese novelties for 
sale as souvenirs there are many such articles which 
retail inexpensively. 

The delicacies mentioned below would be very suitable 
for Japanese social refreshments, using crepe-paper nap- 
kins in Japanese design: Orange Pekoe Tea, Japanese 
Rice Wafers, Nutted Cheese, Stuffed Dates, Crystallized 
Ginger, Japanese Rice Candy. 



CHAPTER IX 
MAYTIME PARTIES 

The fresh spring breezes are so full of life that we 
would all a-Maying go — if we could. But many of us 
live in big cities, and it is not so easy to hike to the woods 
and fill May baskets as some of the poets would have us 
think. But perhaps we can plan a party that will be " as 
full of spirit as the month of May," 

In recognizing May Day we are following a custom 
that is very old but very picturesque. If you should wish 
to have all your forms of entertainment in keeping use a 
number of floral guessing games, but I think your guests 
might equally enjoy the game of " Old Sayings." Give 
each guest a copy of the following rimes, with a blank 
space on each line, as indicated. When all the guests have 
had time to supply the correct words let the hostess read 
aloud the rime correctly written, when mistakes should be 
checked off accordingly. Some little antique novelties or 
old prints would make appropriate prizes. 

Old Sayings 

As poor as a — ■ As proud as a 

As thin as a As sly as a 

As fat as a As mad as a '^ — 

As rough as a As strong as an 

As brave as a As fair as a 

As spry as a As empty as 

As bright as a As rich as old 

As weak as a As cross as a 

149 



ISO THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 



As pure as. an 

As neat as a 

As smart as a 

As ugly as 

As dead as a 

As white as a — 
As flat as a 

As red as a 

As round as an 

As black as your ■ 
As brown as a 

As blind as a 

As mean' as a 

As full as a 

As plump as a 

As sharp as a 



As clean as a 

As dark as a 

As hard as 

As bitter as 

As fine as a 

As clear as a 

As dry as a 

As deep as a 

As light as a 

As firm as a 

As stiff as a 

As calm as a 

As green as a — — 

As brisk as a 

And now let me stop, 

Lest you weary of me. 



The words to be supplied are, in their proper order: 
Church mouse, rail, pig, gale, Hon, cat, dollar, rat, pea- 
cock, fox, March hare, ox, lily, air, Croesus, bear, angel, 
pin, steel trap, sin, door nail, sheet, pancake, beet, orange, 
hat, nut, bat, miser, tick, partridge, stick, whistle, pall, 
flint, gall, fiddle, bell, sponge, well, feather, rock, poker, 
clock, gosling, bee. 

For a novelty what do you think of the edible May- 
basket idea? To invite some friends to a little dinner 
v^^-here these, dainties are served would provide almost 
sufficient entertainment for a whole evening. 

To decorate your table in keeping with these dishes it 
would be pretty to have in the center a huge stick of 
candy, which may be made to stand erect by placing one 
end in a cardboard box covered with green paper. From 
the top of this candy Maypole a narrow steamer of rib- 
bon may bp stretched to each guest's place at the table, 
and serve to tie a buttonhole or corsage bouquet to which 



MAYTIME PARTIES 151 

the name is attached. Or floral placecards may be used, 
with ribbons attached leading to- a basket on the top of 
the pole filled with small bouquets. 

It would be a pretty idea to have these floral placecards 
hung from the top of miniature individual Maypoles rep.- 
resented by sticks of candy of ordinary size. 

Edible Baskets 

A novel change from the usual sandwich may be found 
in a bread basket sandwich. Hollow out in the center a 
thick square piece of bread to form a basket, butter the 
inside well, and fill with any favorite sandwich mixture. 
Alternate layers of finely chopped egg and deviled ham, 
or minced chicken and cucumber mayonnaise are particu- 
larly good for this purpose. A garnish of parsley and red 
radishes adds to its attractiveness. 

Macaroni forms an attractive luncheon basket. Line 
the required number of small oval earthen dishes with 
well buttered paper; have ready a quantity of boiled 
macaroni, cooked in as long pieces as possible, and after 
brushing these over lightly with white of egg coil them 
around the inside of the dishes to form a basket. Fill 
the dishes two-thirds full with macaroni, seasoning with 
salt, pepper and grated cheese, and adding a few cracker 
crumbs; pour in sufficient milk to moisten well, and bake 
until firm. Slip the baskets out carefully on to hot serv- 
ing dishes, remove the papers, and heap with highly 
seasoned minced beef. Garnish with parsley and radish 
flowers and serve immediately with tomato sauce. 

To make potato baskets a number of large smooth 
potatoes of uniform size are required. Pare the potatoes 
carefully and with a very sharp knife fas'hion a miniature 
basket from each one, hollowing it out well. Wash and 
drain on a cloth, then plunge into boiling fat and fry 



152 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

until tender and nicely browned. Have ready some 
creamed shrimp, fill the baskets with this and serve im- 
mediately, garnishing with bits of parsley. 

To make an appetising cucumber basket pare and 
cut off one end of a crisp cucumber. Cut the top to form 
the basket handle, scoop out the center and chill well. 
Just before serving, fill these baskets with a mixture of 
diced chicken and cucumber well moistened with mayon- 
naise, garnish with parsley and in the center of each one 
place a radish cut to resemble a flower. 

Neufchatel or cream cheese may be moulded into dainty 
little baskets to serve with toasted crackers. Filled with 
tart currant jelly and garnished with a bit of parsley they 
are most inviting. 

Chocolate sticks piled up log-cabin fashion form a novel 
rustic ice cream basket. Just before serving, it should be 
garnisihed with a bit of fern and forget-me-not and filled 
with ice cream. 

Any good cookie mixture may be used as the founda- 
tion of May basket cakes. Roll the dough out thin, cut 
them out by a pattern of cardboard well buttered, and 
bake carefully. Spread smoothly with coffee icing and 
when this is firm, paint on clusters of roses and foliage 
with vegetable coloring. 

Unusual Table Decorations 
xiv century lap luncheon 

The row of dainty paper plates with flower-decorated, 
covered-wire handles and lace-paper doilies holds a XIV 
Century Lap Luncheon, so called because " fingers were 
made before forks." The menu may be served without 
knife, fork or spoon. When it is necessary china is used, 
but few pieces will be required. 



MAYTIME PARTIES 153 

Menu 

Strawberries With Sugar 

Bouillon With Crackers 

French Chops With Paper Ends 

Potato Chips 

Romaine Salad Cheese Crackers 

Ice-Cream Cones Fancy Cakes 

Coffee Bonbons 

DAFFODIL TABLE 

As bright and fresh as the spring itself is a daffodil 
table, with its Jack-Horner centerpiece, candle shades, nut 
cups and placecards, all carrying out this floral idea. 
The salad is of grapefruit and orange sections gar- 
nished with cherries and parsley, with French dressing. 
The menu to be served at this table could be the golden 
one suggested for the rockery table. 

THE TABLE OF GOLDEN HUE 

A gray-stone rockery, the interstices of which are filled 
with daisies and buttercups, graces the center of this 
golden-hued table. The table can well be used for a 
shower, as the rockery may really be a grotto in which 
the articles are hidden. The golden menu should be 
served. 

Golden Menu 

Macedoine of Yellow Fruits 

Amber Soup 

Chicken a la Maryland, Hominy 

Carrots Asparagus Mousseline 

Vegetable Salad With Mayonnaise 
Frozen Custard Sunshine Cakes 

Cheese Crackers 

Coffee 



154 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

The floral design on the tablecloth was stenciled, but 
one might cut designs from crepe paper and applique them 
as well; or a floral paper luncheon cloth could be used if 
preferred. The little inverted parasols are made of paper 
and may be used as bonbon holders. 

ROSE TABLE 

Charming indeed is the rose table with its graceful rose 
float in the center, its lighted rose-glass lamps, its dainty 
ladies holding rose bonbon baskets, and its strawberry 
mousse served in rose-petal cups. Preceding this course 
a menu of tomato bisque, cold pink salmon vinaigrette 
with asparagus tips, creamed chicken on toast, with a 
garnish of radish roses and green peas, and a salad of 
tomato and lettuce may be served. 

The centerpiece on the table is arranged by placing a 
few roses and ferns in a perforated glass flower stand on 
an almost flat glass plate such as may be purchased from 
any of the large department stores or first-class flower 
shops. Little gray birds rest on the plate, as if just stop- 
ping for a refreshing drink. 

FOR A SEWING CLUB 

This table is planned especially for the sewing or em- 
broidery club, and the little girl doll in the center laden 
with sewing paraphernalia to be first prize for the 
contests to follow the luncheon. A table like this, with 
its dainty pink and blue accessoriesi, calls for the serving 
of either the white menu or the pink one suggested under 
the rose table. 

WHITE MENU 

Cream of Clam Soup 
Sweetbread Patties 



MAYTIME PARTIES 155 

Chicken Breast 
Potato Puff Creamed Cauliflower 

Endive Salad 
Lemon Ice Marshmallow Cakes 

Cheese Coffee Crackers 

The little Sewing Lady standing amid the bachelor's- 
buttons on the table is dressed in a blue checked gingham 
dress and white apron. She carries a strawberry emery 
in one hand and a tiny basket containing sewing materials 
in the other; a tiny pair of scissors is in a pocket at 
her side. 

The sewing set favors include scissors, needlebook and 
emery. Toy sewing machine novelties are used as, place 
markers. 

Ice cups are decorated with bachelor's-buttons or other 
small flowers around the centerpiece. 

Nature Social 

For the " Leaf Guessing " contest procure as many 
varieties of leaves as possible, press and mount on mat- 
board, number each and award a prize to the one who 
correctly names the greatest number. 

The following rimes descriptive of well-known trees are 
to be used for the " Tree Guessing " contest ; pictures of 
the trees may be obtained from educational and art pub- 
lishers : 

:(i) Black Oak 

A lofty forest tree am I, 

I grow in all parts of our land ; 
My bark provides you with a dye ; 

And leather by me oft is tanned. 



156 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

(2) White Pine 

A useful forest tree am I, 
My wood in buildings you'll espy ; 
My largest trunks are often sought, 
And into lofty masts are wrought. 

(3) American Elm 

Maj estic o'er the land I tower, 

As graceful as a garden bower; 

I'm found in " Middle," North and West ; 

New England, though, I love the best. 

(4) Lombardy Poplar 

Though Italy's my native place. 

No beauty have I and no grace; 

The most peculiar of the trees. 

My name, of course, you'll guess with ease. 

(5) American Larch 

Though ornamental in my youth, 
My branches are but few forsooth; 
The farmers always find my wood, 
For posts and pump logs, very good. 

(6) Swamp Maple (Red Maple) 

When comes the sunny springtide hours, 
My branches all bear crimson flowers; 
For cabinet work my wood is best. 
You'll find 'twill always stand the test. 

(7) Willow (Osier) 

My boughs in golden flowers abound 
E'er early violets are found; 



MAYTIME PARTIES 157 



I will not thrive where soil is dry, 
But always show that water's nigh. 

(8) White Birch 

My bark, you see, is white as snow; 
Near Arctic Circle oft I grow; 
I stand where sweeps the mountain's breeze, 
The last of the deciduous trees. 

(9) Red Oak 

If you my name would like to learn, 
I'll say, my wood will nicely burn; 
As timber it is valueless. 
Perhaps my species you can guess. 

(10) Silver-Leaf Poplar 

My leaves above are darkest green. 

Below they're silver fair; 
By dusty roadside I am seen, 

And flourish even there. 

(11) Shagbark Walnut or Hickory 

I've many uses, it is true; 

I furnish toothsome nuts for you ; 

For vessels' keels, that sail the sea, 

For hoops and whipstalks, you'll choose me. 

(12) Sugar Maple 

I yield you a delicious sweet. 

E'en ten pounds in a season ; 
And cabinetmakers like my wood. 

'Tis strong; that is the reason. 



158 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

(13) Balsam Fir 

In pyramidal form I grow, 

My beauty thus revealing. 
To you a balm I will bestow, 

Quite valuable for healing. 

(14) White Ash 

I'm beautiful and useful, too ; 

My wood these uses claims ; 
For pins and handspikes, it is true, 

And even carriage frames. 

(15) Southern White Cedar 

Only in swampland I am seen; 
My leaves are tiny scales of green. 
So durable my wood, they say, 
'Twill last " forever and a day." 

(16) American Beech 

I'm quite an ornamental tree; 

A height of five score feet is mine ; 
The nuts, which mid my boughs are seen. 

Are often used as food for swine. 

(17) White Oak 

Though not the largest of my kind, 
I'm useful, as you'll surely find ; 
Employed in various construction, 
Now guess my name from this instruction. 

(18) Black Walnut 

A tall and stately forest tree. 

In Northern States don't look for me ; 

But better nuts, 'tis very true. 

My English cgugin offers you. 



MAYTIME PARTIES 159 

(19) Horse Chestnut 

My pink and white blossoms you surely admire; 
To eat of my nuts you would never desire; 
They look quite attractive, but, isn't it queer, 
That no one will eat them excepting the deer? 

(20) Basswood 

You'll guess my name, I surely hope; 
My bark is used for making rope ; 
My fruit is green the size of peas, 
But no one cares to eat of these. 

(21) Black Ash 

In spring time my branches bear buds by the dozens, 
Deep blue and not yellow like those of my cousins; 
My trunks make the baskets so useful to you, 
My saplings are wanted for hoops, it is true. 

(22) Butternut 

Of course you'll surely guess my tree; 
You've sought the nuts quite eagerly ; 
My trunk is short, you'll climb with ease. 
Now guess the species of my trees. 

(23) Locust 

I have of flowers a bright array. 

But yet this thought must daunt me : 
I'm undesirable, folks say, 

Because the insects haunt me. 

(24) Bitternut Hickory 

You'll find me not in soil that's wet. 

But clay's my ground, I choose it; 
My nut's so bitter, I regret 

E'en animals refuse it. 



i6o THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

A Flower Show 

Arrange a number of pictures of flowers about the 
room, with numbers but no names upon the faces of the 
pictures. Hand each guest a long strip of paper or card- 
board having corresponding numbers, and request the 
guests to write the names of the flowers opposite the 
numbers on their cards. It is surprising how many people 
really do not know the names of even the most ordinary 
flowers. A prize should be awarded to the one whose list 
is most nearly complete. 

Apple Blossom New England Aster 

Goldenrod Black-Eyed Susan 

Lemon Wild Columbine 

Mistletoe Pitcher Plant 

Ginger Mountain Laurel 

Hyacinth Thistle 

Purple Lady-Slipper Purple Violet 

Narcissus Cotton Plant and flower 

Lily-of-the- Valley Carnation 

Poppy Dandelion 

Primrose Rose 

Bloodroot Easter Lily 

Yellow Lady-Slipper Calla Lily 

A Floral Wedding Story 

The Prologue 
What was the name of the bridegroom? Sweet 

William. 
What was the name of the bride? Rosemary. 
How did he learn that she loved him? Aster. 
What did she request to consider the matter ? Thyme. 
What was her mother's advice? Marigold. 



MAYTIME PARTIES i6i 

What did her spinster aunt warn her would be the re- 
sult of her marriage? Rue. 

• Who gave consent? Poppy. 

What did her grandfather smoke? Dutchman's Pipe. 
What did the bride think of her groom ? Sage. 

The Guests 
What unpleasant friend was present? Snapdragon. 
What sad guest? Mourning Bride. 
What solace did the bride offer? Heartsease. 
What restless little brother assisted? Johnny-jump-up. 
What did he like best to do? Hop. 
What disreputable mariner came uninvited? Ragged 

Sailor. 
What official of the church was present? Elder. 

• What infantile guest? Virginia Creeper. 

• What precise maiden? Primrose. 

. What impatient guest? Touch-me-not. 

The Bride 

■ What were the color of her eyes? Violet. 

• Of her cheeks? Pink. 
Of her lips? Rose. 
Of her face? Lily. 

What did she carefully arrange? Ladies' Tresses. 
' What adorned her head? Bridal Wreath. 
What shoes did she wear? Ladies Slippers. 
What gloves did she wear? Foxgloves. 
What style collar? Stock. 

How did she look in her wedding dress? Maid in a 
Mist. 

The Ceremony 
What promised her a happy wedded life on her wedding 
morn? Morning Glory. 



# 



i62 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

What rang the chimes? Canterbury Bell. 
' What musical instrument was played? Trumpet. 

• How did they play it ? Bluet. 

At what hour was the ceremony? Four o'Clock. 

• Who performed it? Jack in the Pulpit. 

Who was the bride's dark-eyed attendant? Black-eyed 
Susan. 

What two fops acted as ushers? Cockscomb and Dan- 
delion. 

Where did the bridegroom keep his money? Shep- 
herd's Purse. 

What seal was put to their wedded life? Solomon's 
Seal. 

The Supper 
What solid refreshments did they have? Butter and 

eggs. 
What drink did they serve? New Jersey Tea. 
In what was it served? Pitcher plant. 
How did it seem to the bridal pair ? Ambrosia. 
What sweets were served? Buttercups. 
What chocolates ? Bitter sweets. 
What other confectionery? Peppermint. 
How did everything taste? Savory. 
What cake was served. Lady Fingers. 
What bill was presented? Cranesbill. 

The Wedding Journey 

' What did the bride say at parting? Forget-me-not. 
- What did sihe leave behind her? Bleeding Hearts. 

Did many of her friends see her off? Phlox. 

What illuminated their departure? Rocket. 

In what words did her friends bid her adieu? Speed- 
well. 



MAYTIME PARTIES 163 

What star shone on their journey? Star of Bethlehem. 
What luminary lighted their way? Moon flower. 
What did their love promise to do? Live forever. 
What rural occupation did the bridegroom subsequently 

choose ? Plantain. 
What hallowed their declining years ? Sweet Peas. 

Flower Stories 

Long ago I lived in Persia — 

In a monarch's garden grew — 

Now my purple plumes are tossing 

In the breezes, just for you. (Lilac.) 

I was a youth so vain, alas ! 

The streamlet was my looking glass; 

'Twas then for me a fateful hour, 

For I was transformed to a flower. (Narcissus.) 

In Holland, far across the sea. 

The folks are very fond of me. 

And once ('twill fill you with amaze) 

They said I caused a perfect craze. (Tulip.) 

In days of yore, in sunny France, 
When gallants fought with spear and lance, 
The banners bright uplifted there 
Were broidered with my flower so fair. 

(Fleur-de-lis.) 

In woodland heights I flourish now, 

But yet, in long ago. 

The Victor twined me round his brow — 

(My name perchance you know). (Laurel.) 

How bright my gorgeous color gleams! 
'Tis said that I give pleasant dreams. 



i64 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

In quaint old China I am found, 

And in the fields my blooms abound. (Poppy.) 

The sturdy Scot to me is true; 

He loves my flower of purple hue ; 

But when you pluck me, Oh, beware! 

And of my many thorns take care. (Thistle.) 

But, far, on mountain peak I grow, 

On lofty Alpine height ; 

And near the white and drifted snow. 

You'll see my flower so white. (Edelweiss.) 

We once were symbols in a strife. 

In England long ago; 

One flower was red ('tis truly said), 

The other white as snow, (Roses.) 

For glowing sun that shines above 

I have a true and changeless love 

And follow with a longing eye 

His daily course in azure sky. (Sunflower.) 

A lover sought to pluck me once 

(This tale I would relate) ; 

Alas ! he slipped in treacherous stream. 

And met a tragic fate. (Forget-me-not.) 

'Tis said I am a preacher, 

But where's my congregation. 

The folks who should come to the wood. 

To hear my exhortation? (Jack-in-the- Pulpit.) 

Pansy Fortunes 

Pansies are said to foretell tbe future; and a pretty 
idea would be for the hostess to pass a bowl or basket of 



MAYTIME PARTIES 165 

these flowers, letting each guest choose one. The lines 
upon each flower have the following significance : 

Four lines mean that the dearest wish will come true. 

Five lines mean hope with fear. 

If the marks lean toward the right there will be prosperity. 

If the marks lean toward the left, trouble. 

Seven lines denote constancy of the " bdoved one." 

Eight lines denote fickleness. 

Nine signify a change. 

Ten lines foretell riches. 

Flower Arithmetic 

Just take "to wed," a metal add, you'll have a blossom 

gay. (i) 
From " quicker " take first consonant, there's one more flower, 

you'll say. (2) 
Where mountains are divided look, you'll see a flower so 

white. (3) 
That comes to gladden springtide days, a fair and lovely 

sight. 
To strive, plus vowel, plus permit (you'll guess it if you 

can), (4) 
A food plus what with saucer goes (for this the fields you'll 

scan), (s) 
Unto a bird, if you will add what riders sometimes wear. (6) 
You'll have a dear old-fashioned flower that grows in gardens 

fair. 
A boy's name plus an old time pen, that sum gives one more 

flower. (7) 
A falsehood, plus to be without will deck your garden 

bower. (8) 
From what is opposite to verse one consonant remove. (9) 
And you will have a blossom fair we cannot help but love. 
To kitchen dish add ocean wide (guess one more from this 
rime). (10) 



i66 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

To boy's name add an adjective (here's one of olden time). 

(II) 
An- exhortation to recall, by pronoun please divide ; 
You'll find the flower that sweethearts love, that bids you true 

abide. (12) 
A numeral plus part of face (now get the answer right). (13) 
And you will have a pretty flower in which the Dutch delight. 
So, if you'll do these little sums, why then you'll surely find, 
That you will have a nice bouquet of flowers of many kind. 

Key 

(i) Marigold. (2) Aster. (3) Lily of the valley, (4) 

Violet, (s) Buttercup. (6) Larkspur. (7) Jonquil. (8) 

Lilac. (9) Rose. (10) Pansy. (11) Sweet William. (12) 
Forget-me-not. (13) Tulips. 

A May Walk 

A May walk is a good idea for a home party or a church 
social and one that can be developed along any line one 
may choose. The invitations might read : 

Take a May Walk and come to the Social Hall of 
Church Lon Friday evening. 

The hall must bear evidence of the oldtime " Gathering 
of May," in that it must be decorated with blossoms, either 
real or made for the occasion, such as dogwood, cherry 
blossom, wistaria, etc. In addition to the floral entertain- 
ment the room must be arranged as much like an outdoor 
scene as possible, with hammocks, lawn benches, etc. 

As the dairymaid figured largely in the old-time May- 
Day celebrations, a dairy supper would be very appro- 
priate to serve. In the center of a large table should be 
placed an old-fashioned milk jar filled with daisies or 
clover blossoms. The salted nuts, olives, etc., could be 



MAYTIME PARTIES 167 

served in small milk pans, the ice cream in toy milk pails, 
and so on. 

If the company is small enough to permit the giving of 
a souvenir to each person, these toy milk pails might be 
painted in imitation of the popular peasant vi^ork, having a 
spray of buttercups or daisies on the side of each. The 
menu for such a dairy supper would be as follows : 

Cream of Asparagus Soup 

Sliced Ham Cottage Cheese Creamed Potatoes 

Milk Rolls With Butter 

Yellow and White Fruit Salad Cheese Straws 

Ice Cream Whipped Cream Cake 

Iced Milk Buttermilk 

For those who wish to entertain in the home and are 
deterred by insufficient table accessories a simple yet 
interesting entertainment may be arranged by extending 
the following invitation: 

Oh, would'st thou a-Maying go? 

The woodland calls — each tree, each leaf, 
The tender flowerets woo thee. Lo, 

Violets blue and yellow crocus- half asleep 
Stand waiting decked, in gaudy show ! 

Then come with me to the forest glade, 
And our Beltane fires we'll light this day 

'Neatb the waving green of blithesome May. 

Where a tree-dotted lawn is available it might be fur- 
nished with rustic seats and small plank tables and the 
guests received there. Where the weather necessitates re- 
maining indoors, here again the interior should be made 
as outdoorlike as possible. The arrival of a white-aproned 
butler with a huge picnic hamper upon his arm should be 
a signal for the guests to find their places by the cards 



i68 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

attached to tiny May baskets which have been made for 
the occasion. 

The menu may be served in picnic style : wooden plates, 
inexpensive cutlery and tin cups. A May Breakfast may 
be the term by which this form of entertainment is desig- 
nated. A tasty meal of fried chicken and accompaniments 
may be served. 

A Frolic in Birdland 

A Frolic in Birdland will provide entertainment for a 
whole evening. Planned on simple but unusual lines, an 
evening with the birds not only insures a genuine good 
time but may perform a service by arousing in the par- 
ticipants a desire for closer acquaintance with the song- 
sters, whom most of us know only as " birds." 

The room in which the social is held also should be 
transformed to resemble a woodland scene as closely as 
possible. If the ceiling is supported by pillars let them be 
covered with crumpled brown tissue paper to represent 
bark, and to these simulated tree trunks fasten natural 
branches covered with paper leaves and flowers, such as 
those of the dogwood. 

From crepe paper in bird design cut out the birds, all of 
which represent different species — and mount them on 
cardboard, covering the backs with plain paper of the 
predominating color. By padding with cotton the birds 
can be made to appear quite lifelike when placed amid the 
tree branches and shrubbery. Cover the electric lights 
with flower shades. 

Let the first part of the evening be devoted to appro- 
priate games, for which three long " picnic " tables should 
be provided. The tablecloths may be of paper, decorated 
with applique borders of the cut-out birds, and the same 
tables will answer later for serving refreshments. 



MAYTIME PARTIES 169 

Divide the players into three groups, and at the expira- 
tion of twenty minutes ring a bell as a signal for each set 
to move to the next table. 

BIRD RIDDLES 

At table Number One Bird Riddles are to be solved, 
each player receiving a copy of the following list, with the 
request to write down the names of the birds represented: 

(i) Used in fence building. 

(2) A popular vegetable and a barnyard fowl. 

(3) What an angry bird would do to his mate. 

(4) Depressed, and a slang term for a country person. 

(5) An old-fashioned utensil immortalized in one of 
Longfellow's famous poems. 

(6) What a burglar was doing when discovered. 

(7) To peddle. 

(8) Less than the whole, and a long range of hills. 

(9) An instrument for driving horses, without means, 
and a Christian name. 

(10) The period of darkness, not out, and a high wind. 

(11) A monarch and an angler. 

(12) A nickname, an exclamation, and part of a chain. 

(13) An outbuilding, and to engulf. 

(14) Peevish, and what we dread the first of the month. 

(15) A tree, an insect product, and part of a bird. 

Key: (i) Rail. (2) Peacock. (3) Woodpecker (would 
peck her). (4) Blue Jay. (5) Crane. (6) Robin (robbin'). 
(7) Hawk. (8) Partridge. (9) Whippoorwill. (10) Night- 
ingale. (11) Kingfisher. (12) Bobolink. (13) Barn Swal- 
low. (14) Crossbill. (15) Cedar Waxwing. 

BIRD COUPLETS 

" Bird Couplets " may test the ingenuity of those at the 
second table. The missing words to be supplied are names 



170 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

of birds, and each, of course, must rime with the last 
word of the companion line of each couplet. The ap-- 
pended list may easily be extended if desired: 

(i) The foolish bats all sleep till dark, 
But with the sunrise wakes the , 

(2) And sings divinely all the day; 

So different from the harsh-voiced . 

(3) Or, naming one that's less unpleasant, 
The gleaming, gorgeous . 

(4) Beside the latter's shining mail 
How dull appears the sober ! 

(5) And likewise how the modest , 

Is by the peacock put to blush. 

(6) The crane's a stately mannered fowl, 
Though kinder far 's the . 

(7) Yet where, I pray, would even she be 
Compared with gentle, winsome ? 

(8) But would you risk a sounding thwack, or 
A vicious pinch, just tease a ; 

(9) And never lose a chance to strike 
A well-aimed blow at wicked . 

(10) The loss of much delight you're riskin'. 
Unless you're friendly with the : 

(11) And, if you'd know a perfect darling, 
Just scrape acquaintance with the . 

(12) But, should you ask a hungry toiler, 
He'll say : " Give me a well-cooked . 



MAYTIME PARTIES 171 

Key: (i) Lark. (2) Jay. (3) Golden Pheasant. (4) 

Quail. (5) Thrush. (6) Downy Owl. (7) Phoebe. (8) 

Macaw. (9) Shrike. (10) Siskin. (11) Starling. (12) 
Broiler. 

BIRD PICTURES 

At the third table slips of blank paper are distributed 
».and a collection of numbered prints of birds passed from 
hand to hand for identification, the names — correspond- 
ingly numbered — being written on the slips. After all 
three groups have received this test the names may be 
read aloud and the lists corrected. 

The tables will now be cleared for supper — served, of 
course, in picnic fashion. Partners may be found by 
matching heads and bodies of birds cut from the crepe 
paper previously mentioned, mounted on thin cardboard, 
and the heads cut off, each at a different angle, 

BIRD PROGRAMS 

The second half of the evening's entertainment may be 
of program character. Solos or part songs, and vocal and 
instrumental records of spring, birds and outdoor themes, 
will round out a thoroughly enjoyable evening. 

The second half of the program may be of a more seri- 
ous character. If the company is not too large, each may 
be invited in turn to describe some interesting or amusing 
incident of bird life which has come under his own obser- 
vation; or readings may be given from the writings of 
some famous naturalist, such, for example, as Frank M. 
Chapman's " Camps and Cruises of an Ornithologist," in 
which are most entertainingly recorded the author's ex- 
periences in gathering material for the wonderful habitat 
groups of birds at New York's Museum of Natural His- 
tory. 

If the community is a rural one, the reading of a mon- 



172 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

ograph on the service rendered the farmer by American 
song birds would be of interest and profit. Farmers' Bul- 
letin No. 456, " Our Grosbeaks and Their Value to Agri- 
culture," would be suitable for this purpose. It may be 
obtained free of charge from the United States Depart- 
ment of Agriculture at Washington, District of Columbia. 
Solos or part songs, and vocal and instrumental records of 
spring, birds and outdoor themes, of which there are innu- 
merable lovely examples, will round out a thoroughly en- 
joyable evening. 

A Forestry Social 

For an invitation to a " Forestry Social " the follow- 
ing rime may be used : 

"Accept our invitation, please. 
And spend an evening 'mid the trees." 

Decorate the room with green boughs, placing them in 
tubs of sand so that they will stand firmly and keep fresh. 

For your first contest provide each couple with a basket 
decorated with crepe paper. Form in line for a march, 
and announce that when the music stops the guests may 
" break ranks " and search for nuts which have been hid- 
den about the room. When a chord is struck on the piano 
they must at once take their places and resume the march, 
the penalty for disobedience to the signal being the forfeit- 
ing of all the nuts collected. 

A FORESTRY PAGEANT 

" A Forestry Pageant " may then be introduced. An- 
nounce to the audience that the various trees of the forest 
will be presented in pageant form, and the name of each 
tree must be guessed. The following trees are then sug- 
gested by tableau or pantomime : 



MAYTIME PARTIES 173 

Fir. — A young girl with fur scarf, fur cap and muff. 

Spruce. — A young man neatly and fashionably dressed. 

Pine. — A girl with a sad and forlorn expression on her 
face. 

Beech. — A little girl with a pail of sand in one hand and 
a shovel in the other. 

Elder. — A person dressed to represent an old man. 

Poplar (Popular). — A young girl surrounded by a num- 
ber of men. 

Date. — A person anxiously consulting a calendar. 

Palm. — A gipsy reading a palm. 

Ash. — A woman with gingham apron and dust cap, 
carrying a pail of ashes. 

Rubber. — A person in rubber mackintosh, rubber boots 
and cap. 

Pear. — A young man and young girl walking together. 

Bay (Bey). — A young man dressed in Turkish costume. 

Refreshments may then be served and should include 
articles which are obtained from trees, a good menu con- 
sisting of olive and nut sandwiches, fig sandwiches, stuffed 
dates, fruit and fruit punch. 

An Audubon Social 

An attractive poster for the Audubon Social is made 
by cutting birds from decorative crepe paper, mounting 
them on cardboard, and printing the following rime as an 
invitation : 

"An Audubon Social we're planning with care; 
Of course we are hoping that you will be there; 
If what it may be you perchance are in doubt, 
Then come, one and all, and you'll surely find out." 

Decorate the rooms with boughs of trees upon which 
may be perched celluloid balancing birds. 



174 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

For the first contest, the Bird Show would be appropri- 
ate. Cut the birds carefully from the decorative paper 
already mentioned, and mount each bird on a separate 
card, padding with cotton if a relief effect is desired. If 
preferred, colored pictures of birds may be procured. Be- 
low each bird should be printed a descriptive verse as 
follows : 

With plumage black and scarlet wing, 
Upon a cat-tail oft I swing; 
Amid the swamps you'll look for me, 
For marshland suits me best, you see. 

Redwing Blackbird. 

My feathers are a brilliant green, 
I always like to smooth and preen, 
I'm quite an entertaining bird, 
My voice is very often heard. 

Carolina Paroquet. 

I'm quite a modest little bird. 
But yet my song of cheer. 
So merry and so musical. 
You're always glad to hear. 

Song Sparrow. 

1 like to build quite near your homes. 
My nest you'll oft behold, 
And poets say my plumage bright 
Has caught the sunbeam's gold. 

Baltimore Oriole. 

You will find me in the meadow, 
Where the grass is growing green, 
And within the hillside's shadow 
Very frequently I'm seen. 

Meadowlark. 



MAYTIME PARTIES 175 

To farmer friends I'm known full well, 
For in the barns I love to dwell, 
And I am sure you'll take delight 
To often watch my graceful flight. 

Barn Swallow. 

You'll often see me on the trees, 
When winter comes with chilling breeze, 
For I am not afraid to come. 
And linger very near your home. 

Hairy Woodpecker. 

Although my feather can not boast 
The oriole's gleaming yellow. 
Yet in my scarlet tipped with black, 
I'm quite a dashing fellow. 

Scarlet Tanager. 

I wonder if my name you know. 
Adown a tree head first I go, 
And if my manner makes you smile, 
I'll say it's always been my style. 

White-Breasted Nuthatch. 

Alas you'll find me in a cage, 
Yet at my state I do not rage, 
But in my yellow plumage bright, 
I sit and sing from morn till night. 



Canary. 



My color's like the sky above. 
The lofty pine tree well I love. 
And if you search with greatest care. 
Why then you'll surely find me there. 



Blue Jay. 



With ruby throat I bend above 
The nodding fragrant flowers; 



176 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

A fairy creature children love, 
I come in summer hours. 

Ruby Throated Humming Bird. 

The object of the contest is to write down correctly the 
names of the various birds which are displayed. 

The following program could be appropriately rendered : 

Piano Solo " When the Swallows Home- 
ward Fly," Variations Abt 

Recitation " The Eagle's Flight " 

Song " O Fair Dove " Gatty 

Dialogue " The Birds of Killingworth " 

Vocal Duet (So- 
prano and Alto) . " I Heard the Robin " Geibel 

Solo " The Woodpecker " Nevin 

Reading " Hiawatha's Song " Longfellow 

Solo " Hark, Hark the Lark " Schubert 

Reading " Sandpiper " Thaxter 

Piano Solo " Prophetic Bird " Schumann 

For finding partners for refreshments, the names of 
birds may be distributed to the ladies and the descriptive 
rimes to the gentlemen, each gentleman seeking the lady 
who has the name of the bird his rime describes. 

For refreshments, cookies cut in the forms of birds, by 
a fancy cooky cutter, may be used, and with these may be 
served nests made from candied orange peel cut in strips, 
containing a few balls of ice cream to imitate eggs. 

A Favorite Flower Social 

For this social a very attractive poster may be con- 
trived by cutting the flowers from decorated crepe paper, 
and first mounting on light-weight paper, then cutting 
out carefully and pasting upon a cardboard poster. The 
following rime is suitable for an invitation: 



MAYTIME PARTIES 177 

A social we have planned 

And we hope you'll be on hand, 

For you're very, very cordially invited. 

Don't forget the date and hour, 

Come and wear your favorite flower — 

If we see you we will surely be delighted. 



When the guests arrive they should be directed to " sort 
themselves " into groups, according to their flowers, and 
this having been done each group is requested to do some- 
thing suggestive of its flower. The stunt may be per- 
formed by a single member or the entire group. 

A Floral impromptu program will then follow. For ex- 
ample, the violet group may render the song " Violets." 
Some member of the rose coterie may briefly tell of the 
wars of the roses. The carnation group can speak of 
Mothers' Day, or refer to President McKinley, whose fa- 
vorite flower was the carnation. A novel stunt may be 
presented by one of the daisy advocates. Sketch a daisy 
on brown paper, and cut out a circle for the center. This 
sheet of paper may be fastened in the doorway, and some 
person stand behind it with the face framed by the daisy 
petals. A daisy song such as " Daisies Won't Tell " may 
be appropriately sung. The spokesman for the lily group 
may refer to the Scriptural associations with this flower, 
and the champion of daffodils may recite " Daffy-Down- 
Dilly." 

Should a contest be desired the following questions re- 
garding famous flowers will be interesting: 

What flower was the symbol in an English war ? Rose. 

Of what flowers was it said that they were for thoughts? 
Pansies. 

For what spring flower was a famous ship named? 
Mayflower. 



178 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

What is the national flower of France? Fleur-de-lis. 

What flower is associated with the Alps? Edelweiss. 

For what flower did a craze spread all over Europe? 
Tulip. 

What flower is associdited with Egypt? Lotos. 

What flower is named for a vain Greek youth. Narcis- 
sus. 

What flower is symbolic of sleep? Poppy. 

To insure the success of this social, the committee should 
have in readiness material for various stunts, in case any 
group is unable to contribute to the program from mem- 
ory. There should be a number of flower songs, and 
poems suggestive of flowers. 



CHAPTER X 

COMMENCEMENT AFFAIRS 

Fun for Class Night and Class Parties 

As Commencement week — a greater week for June 
graduates than ever yet has been — approaches, the plans 
must be laid early if its observance is to be " different " 
and a success from beginning to end ; also there are many 
farewell class and school parties that must be given. 

There are two ways to conduct the Class Night exer- 
cises : one is the way which only interests the class mem- 
bers and schoolmates who know each other personally, 
and the few relatives and friends who think that every- 
thing the participants do is clever, no matter how they do 
it; the other way is the one that interests everybody who 
has been fortunate enough to receive an invitation. 

Many of the High School Classes want to know about 
new ways of doing the Class Night stunts. Some of the 
methods here suggested have become popular in certain 
sections of the country, but are not so well known in 
other parts. This may be true of the Gypsy Fortune- 
Teller and the Crystal-Gazer as class prophets. With the 
former the history and prophecy of the class may be com- 
bined. 

The stage setting is made to look as " woodsy " as pos- 
sible by the use of branches, ferns and rocks. A gypsy 
179 



i8o THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

fortune-teller rests by the wayside and the members of 
the class pass by on their merry way to a picnic. The 
old gypsy begs of them and the boys manage to get to- 
gether enough coin to " cross her hand with silver," so 
that she consents to read the palms of all the party. Dur- 
ing the first reading all of them gather around and listen 
while the gypsy prophesies; but the questions and banter- 
ing of a gay High School crowd make her angry, and she 
will tell no more fortunes unless the seekers come to her 
alone. After this the audience sees the fortune-telling go- 
ing on, but only hears the talk of the rest of the class as 
they spread the lunch, bring water from the spring and 
have a good time generally. Their talk is about the school 
days that have just ended and embodies the history of the 
class. 

There are little stories and reminiscences about various 
students and teachers, and by the time the last member 
comes from her interview with the gypsy they are all 
ready to sit down to the picnic lunch. They give the 
gypsy some of the goodies, and she passes out. While 
they eat, the different ones tell the rest what the gypsy 
predicted for them. 

Instead of having all of the prophecies made in this 
way let some of them be called forth by various happen- 
ings — for instance, a paper snake suddenly makes its ap- 
pearance; it is killed by one of the boys and his future as 
a hero is straightway predicted. 

For a " Crystal Reading " the stage is given an Oriental 
air by the use of rugs, cushions, draperies, large brass 
bowls and palms. The class prophet, dressed as an Orien- 
tal, occupies the center of the stage. He may stand, or 
he may sit " Turk fashion " on a pile of cushions. A young 
boy in Eastern garb is his attendant and admits the guests. 
On a taboret before the crystal-gazer stands a 



COMMENCEMENT AFFAIRS i8i 

globe — it may be a small fish-globe mounted on a brass 
candlestick. In groups of two and three the members 
of the class appear and request the crystal-gazer to glimpse 
their fortunes. The class prophet does most of the talk- 
ing, though the other members ask questions and play the 
part of being eagerly curious as to what the gazer has to 
tell them. The prophecies should be clothed in the flow- 
ery language of the Orient, and the crystal-gazer should 
speak in the rich, well-modulated tones for which the 
Oriental orator is famed. Sometimes he gazes into the 
globe for several seconds before he seems to get any 
vision, and at other times he becomes excited and points 
rapidly at the pictures which he sees in the crystal ball. 

Some of the well-known forms of entertainment may 
be very easily adapted to the presentation of the class 
prophecy. One of the most mirthful forms is an adapta- 
tion of Mrs. Jarley's Waxworks. Of course Mrs, Jarley 
is not an original character, but in this instance all her 
figures may be original. The Juniors, no doubt, will be 
very happy to personify the future of the Seniors, whose 
good qualities will have had time to develop fully in twen- 
ty-five years. The names of the Seniors are played upon 
as well as their characteristics. " The Reverend James 
Wood B. Pious," who has developed into a famous 
preacher, is recognized as Jim Wood, who really did work 
hard enough to win the oratorical prize. 

A Breakfast for Seniors 

The Juniors were " up against it." Every form of party 
had been given year after year, and they were lying awake 
nights trying to formulate new ideas for the usual banquet 
to Seniors. They appealed to the wife of the Superin- 
tendent of Schools, who had a bright idea for them. She 



i82 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

asked them to appoint an entertainment committee of six 
at their next business meeting, suggesting to them names 
of several Juniors she knew would be particularly help- 
ful in carrying out plans she had in mind. This was 
done and they held a series of committee meetings. Pre- 
viously all entertainments given at Commencement-time 
had been evening parties or banquets, so it was suggested 
that the usual program be varied with a " Morning-Glory 
Breakfast," and duties were assigned to the various mem- 
bers of the committee. One, who was the son of a florist, 
with his father's assistance planted morning-glory seeds 
in baskets, pots, boxes etc., to be used in decorating. 
One of the baskets was used a couple of months later, 
suspended high over the dining-table with the vines on 
strings, entwined with class colors, extending toward the 
four corners of the table. A flat fern-dish, containing the 
vines which had been repeatedly clipped back, was used 
as a centerpiece. 

If the natural vines cannot be grown in time to arrange 
a morning-glory table the whole class may join in making 
the flowers. The form and coloring are most simple. 

Gilded wire baskets filled with artificial morning-glory 
vines were used for the decoration of the table. The 
place-cards were adorned with miniature gilt baskets 
containing tiny paper blossoms, and the first course of 
the breakfast — a macedoine of summer fruits — was 
served in large morning-glories holding paper cups. 

Enough room was found in the dining-room and on the 
screened side porch (shaded by morning-glory vines) at 
the home of one member of the class to set small square 
tables to seat the whole class and faculty. Crepe-paper 
napkins with morning-glory decorations were spread at 
each place. 

The menu served was: 



COMMENCEMENT AFFAIRS 183 

Fruit Macedoine 

Chicken Croquettes and Peas Potato Chips 

Tomato Salad 

Bread and Butter Sandwiches 

Coffee 

Strawberries and Cream Cake 

Mints 

After breakfast the classes proceeded to the spacious 
lawn. The Juniors and Seniors, with half of the faculty 
on each side, pitted against each other for contests in 
childhood games. Bean bag, prisoner's base, etc., had 
been planned in such a way that each side played for 
points. At the close of the contest the losing side was to 
give a treat to the winners, the cost not to exceed five 
cents a member, the winners to name the nature of the 
treat. The Seniors carried off the honors and voted for 
a ride on a merry-go-round stationed three blocks away. 
This broke up the party, but the class pronounced it the 
greatest success of the season. 

A Fate Party for Juniors 

A Senior Class of ten girls and fifteen boys decided to 
leave in the minds of the thirty-seven " nice " little Juniors 
a pleasant memory of their rivals in the various sports of 
the year. This was no small undertaking, as they wanted 
to get up something " original." At last they hit upon the 
plan to tell them their fates. Consequently the Seniors 
took the Juniors under their wings, so to speak, and found 
out all there was to know about them. 

Have you never heard of a " Fate Party " ? Well 
neither had they, for they invented it. They studied 
Michelangelo's " Three Fates," and " The Fates " by the 
unknown artist, and patterned their " Fates " thereafter. 



i84 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Three of the girls were Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos re- 
spectively. 

The gymnasium was decorated in blue and yellow. The 
electric lights were covered with blue crepe paper, and 
those at the end opposite the entrance were covered with 
yellow to represent the moon. Gold stars shone over the 
ceiling at every available point and in a bower of palms 
reigned " the three sisters " ! The chairs were arranged 
in groups and numbered. As the Juniors came each 
was presented with a dainty cluster of forget-me-nots tied 
with yellow, with a number attached. They thereby found 
their chairs and congenial groups. Of course at first there 
was much talk and laughter, but the suppressed curiosity 
of the Juniors and the shy glances toward the palms indi- 
cated the eagerness for the event of the evening to begin. 
So the great " moon " over the bower was lighted and the 
whispering audience got quiet. 

Clotho silently wound the fleecy wool about her golden 
distaff. Atropos, likewise silent, gazed on the threads 
which were the lives of the harmless third-year men, but, 
as Lachesis spun away and awaited the moment to cut 
them off with her gleaming shears, she spoke in sepulchral 
tones. The Juniors were addressed as " sky children," al- 
though they never had been considered angels, and three 
of the boys were called. They knelt before the " eternal 
three," and from the depths of the bower three toy horses 
rolled out. At the most impressive moment Lachesis cut 
the thread and declared that these boys were destined to 
ride their " hobbies " — namely, of poking about for bugs, 
caterpillars and other goo-y things, all the days of their 
lives — an occupation which would bring joy and enlight- 
enment to all mankind in general, and to zoologists in par- 
ticular; and at the premature age of one hundred and 
fifty years those shears would again and finally clip the 



COMMENCEMENT AFFAIRS 185 

thread. The boys were good sports and had loads of fun 
riding their " hobbies " back to their seats. 

When three of the girls were called forth the strains of 
the Lohengrin Wedding March sounded. Little strings of 
wedding bells were thrown about the girls' necks, and 
Lachesis proclaimed that within two years' time each 
would be marching up an aisle as a blushing bride. 

Within an hour those thirty-seven small Juniors had 
learned their fate. The ball players of the class were 
tickled at the thought of one day wearing the " white ele- 
phant," or some other equally distinctive emblem, and the 
suffragettes were delighted at being held up as future 
Mayoresses, Governoresses and Presidentesses. 

The hosts then served fruit punch and cakes and can- 
dies, the cakes being in the shapes of moons and stars. 

It was less formal than the usual Junior reception and 
entertainment, and much more enjoyable. And moreover 
all this sport was exceedingly inexpensive. 

Unique School Parties Where " Eats " Are the 
Thing, as Reported from Participants 

A Greek Symposium 

Now this may sound classic and dry, but don't be fright- 
ened, for it was a very jolly and unique affair. And al- 
though it was the Greek class that gave it the idea could 
be adapted to any other foreign language class. 

The senior Greek class of " Our School " styled them- 
selves " The Gods and the Goddesses of Olympus." One 
day after the class had been construing the lines in the 
Iliad about the feasting of the gods and the goddesses on 
Olympus the Greek teacher asked if they didn't think it 
would be fun to give a banquet to the " Insignificant 



i86 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Mortals " — that is, the rest of the Greek student body in 
the school. 

The word " banquet " sounded good even to the boys. 
So after school the class met and decided on a symposium. 

Then came the invitations. They vi^ent out the next 
week on cards, calling size, and read, in Greek, of course : 

The Gods and the Goddesses of Olympus 

At Home 

Symposium Date, Address 

These cards were posted to the under classes and to the 
graduates who had been in the classes under the Greek 
teacher then in charge of the department. Many and 
amusing were the replies. Most of them bravely con- 
veyed the writers' pleased acceptance in Greek. 

The Goddesses were all arrayed in cheesecloth robes of 
the school colors, orange and lemon, with hair dressed 
Greek style, with fillet, psyche, etc. The Gods each car- 
ried a symbol of his rank or personality. 

At the door, as the mortals entered, a Goddess pinned 
the name of a Greek character on the back of each. After 
that each addressed the other in reference to his new iden- 
tity, trying to puzzle him as much as possible. We used 
only Greek characters which had occurred in our Greek 
reading, and a^ soon as the characters became known each 
one impersonated the original. 

One and all had been attracted by a strange, cave-look- 
ing booth in a darkened corner of the hall. At the sug- 
gestion of a Goddess one brave mortal entered. As he 
pulled back the curtain a puff of steam from a smoking 
kettle greeted him, and at the sight of a Greek girl, in an 
apparent trance, seated on a three-legged stool all shouted : 
" The Delphic Oracle." And as one by one braved his 
fate we knew that our oracle was a success. 



COMMENCEMENT AFFAIRS 187 

Then followed mock athletic contests in which the vic- 
tors were crowned by the Goddesses. 

Next we played progressive Greek anagrams, and after 
this strenuous mental performance came the real event of 
the evening, the symposium. The dining-room doors 
were thrown open, and behold the Goddesses, all carrying 
trays, grouped around a table ! From the chandelier 
above floated orange and lemon streamers. A large cut- 
glass bowl filled with orange and lemon ice was at one 
end, over which a Goddess smilingly presided; a steaming 
pot of cocoa and a generous pitcher of whipped cream 
were at the other end, with another Goddess in smiling at- 
tendance. 

Then menu cards, in Greek, decorated with Greek draw- 
ings and tied with orange and lemon ribbons, were dis- 
tributed to the mortals, and each was at liberty to order 
from a Goddess what he wanted. 

Then the fun commenced, for the menu read as fol- 
lows (in Greek) : 

Menu 

A Sharp Stick (Toothpick) 

Dates Water 

Bread and Butter (Sandwiches) 

Food of the Gods (An Ice) 

A Napkin A Plate Sweet Nectar (Cocoa) 

Cakes Spoon 

Sweetmeats (Candy) 

There was much merriment as the inexperienced mor- 
tals, with their limited vocabularies, began to order. Of 
course most of them boldly ordered the first thing on the 
menu and were gravely presented a toothpick by the God- 
desses in waiting. Each mortal was obliged to keep what 
he ordered, and there was lots of fun over a faculty grad- 



i88 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

uate of several years who vainly tried to recall his once 
ready Greek, but was found, after several orders, sitting 
forlornly with a toothpick, a spoon, a glass of water and 
a stick of yellow candy. 

But in about ten minutes the mortals made out the menu 
and the banquet proceeded in a gale of merriment. When 
the mortals began to depart each declared that the Gods 
and the Goddesses had given them a royal good^ time. 

A Botanical Banquet 

As is probably the case in every botany class an im- 
portant part of our work toward spring was to collect 
and classify wild flowers. Our teacher, possibly wise 
from much experience, seemed to think we needed other 
incentive than just the promise of extra credit, for she 
formed a contest between her first and second year classes, 
with an entertainment as the reward of the class having 
the greatest average collection. This entertainment was 
to be furnished by the losing side. 

When, at the end of six weeks, we found ourselves 
beaten and our opponents claimed their reward we de- 
cided upon a banquet. 

When the banquet was given we were able to get an 
abundance of graceful white spirea and purple irises, so 
we used these with Japanese lanterns for decorations. 

The host of each table had a slip of paper containing 
the names of those to be seated at his table, and it was 
his duty to get them together. A boy and a girl at each 
table acted as " waitresses," as one of the boys put it. 

The menus were simple affairs, each made of a sheet 
of white drawing paper folded crosswise and tied with 
green cord. At the top of the cover was printed, by 
hand: 



COMMENCEMENT AFFAIRS 189 

Botanical Banquet (Date) 

and in the center of the page was pasted a flaring picture 
of some flower or vegetable cut from a seed catalog, with 
the scientific name written beneath it. The third page 
contained the menu, which was printed in scientific names 
like this : 

Soups 

Apium graveolens $0.03 

Lycopersicum esculentum 05 

Relishes 

Raphinus saturis $0.02 

Olea Europea 05 

Cucumis saturis 05 

Allium bulbosum 03 

Vegetables 

Solanum tuberosum $0.20 

Asparagus officinale 15 

Desserts 

Ananas saturis $0.20 

Fragaria Chiloensis 15 

Drinks 

Citrus Media limon $0.03 

Aqua pura 01 

Of course we did not know what we were order- 
ing, but that only added to the fun. The fare was 
purely vegetable, to make it entirely appropriate for our 
party. 

When we had finished floral conundrums were read. 
When the answers were written on a blank page of the 
menu booklets they were exchanged and corrected. 



190 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 



A Scientific Revel 

Last spring the Chemistry Club of our High School 
decided it would be necessary to give some social func- 
tion to close the first year of our club vi^ork. 

Since the affair vi^as to be held in the chemistry labora- 
tory we decided to make everything pertain to chemistry 
as much as possible, and wrote our invitations, to a track 
meet and banquet, on filter paper. 

We inclosed with the invitations the menu, the making 
of which took about all the ingenuity we could scrape up. 

When all the guests had arrived the boys started the 
fun by announcing the stunts of the mock track meet, like 
the standing broad grin, discus throw (with paper bag), 
etc. We then seated all the guests, and each was given a 
menu like the one below, but without explanatory terms. 
It was great fun for the guests to try to guess what the 
different articles were. 

The dishes used were taken from the various labora- 
tories to make the feast realistic. 

Menu 

All guests will be required to make a qualitative test of the 
following unknown foods: 

Relishes 

Green Pulp, Stuffed with Arsenic Sulphide 

(Stuffed Olives) 
Pulp, Paris Green and Acetic Acid (Pickles) 
Hydrogen Peroxide Fibrous Pulp (Celery) 

Sandwiches 

Palliated Porcus and Sulphite of Soda 

(Ham Sandwiches) 

Sargent's Favorite (Lettuce-and-Nut Sandwiches) 



COMMENCEMENT AFFAIRS 191 

(We called them this after our Principal) 

Newman's Special. (These were Wienerwursts and 

buns, Newman is the town dogcatcher) 

Salads 

Solanum Tuberosum (Potato Salad) 

Weekly Review (Waldorf Salad) 

Cow Hoof a la Mode (Gelatin and Fruit Salad) 

Paste (e)y 

Les Gaufre with Acer Saccharinum Sauce 

(Waffles with Maple Sirup) 

Kaka (Prepared with alum. " Kaka " is Swedish for " cake ") 

Solidified Lacteous Extract (Ice Cream) 

Beverages 

Colloidal Kaffene (Coffee) Thiobromine (Milk) 

The Vine's Offering (Grape Juice) 

Spring's Offering (Water) 

Dentist's Delight 
Aerated Gelatin with Dextrose (Marshmallows) 
Amorphous Dextrose and Thiobromine (Fudge) • 

Everybody was delighted with the originality of the 
Chemistry Club. 



The Clock-Tower Ceremony 

By tacit consent a certain city high school grants to 
its boy graduates an honor which no other pupils attain, 
and one which the boys themselves guard jealously. The 
clock tower is high above the other floors, and reached 
by a long ladder, and after the closing session on the last 
morning in June, ere the boys leave the building for the 
last time as pupils, they climb up to this highest story of 



192 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

all. There they give their class yell once into each of 
the four winds, or four times in all. 

Then they write their names on the wall in a vertical 
row, read the names written there by their predecessors. 
Before descending, they clasp hands and sing the fol- 
lowing stanza (Air: "Love Divine, All Love Excel- 
hng ") : 

Alma Mater! Noble mother! 

Give us of thy mighty power ; 
Bless us with thy tender wisdom, 

Cheer us in this parting hour. 
We are going forth to conquer 

Foes without and fears within; 
Onward, forward, ever pressing, 

Laurels fresh for thee to win. 

The Round-Robin Prophecy 

Instead of having one member give the class prophecy, 
all may take part; or, if the class is too large, a selected 
number, the different speakers giving limericks they have 
composed on the various individuals. The prophecy is 
started by one who recites the following limerick, or an 
original one using the name of some classmate: 

As the years hasten on in their flight, 
And turn our dark locks to snow white, 

What do you suppose, 

Ben, Fate has for those 
Whom we call our classmates to-night? 

The boy or girl named by the leader rises and gives his 
limerick on a third classmate, who in turn comes forward 
with his prophecy regarding a fourth classmate, and so on 
until the " robin " has made the rounds. 



COMMENCEMENT AFFAIRS 



193 



For instance, the one named by the leader prophesies 
Thomas Cameron's future : 

Well, there is one man, Thomas Cameron, 
Who, if he's content just to hammer on, 

His bump of tenacity 

Combined with sagacity. 
Will help him to write a Heptameron. 

Whereupon Thomas Cameron rises and predicts that : 

Although Alice Nelson can cook, 
When into the future I look, 

I see her fair name 

In the Hall of Fame, 
For arresting a world-famous crook 

Alice Nelson foretells that : 

I'm certain that Adaline Bleecher, 

A lovely and amiable creature 

Will, after a term 
Join some business firm 
As a graduate salesmanship teacher. 

The last limerick of all brings the " robin " back to the 
leader, who closes with: 

If Fortune our verses will deign 
To follow, then mankind will gain 

In wisdom, faith, beauty. 

Devotion to duty. 
And none shall have lived in vain. 



The " Looking Backward " Prophecy 

Two girls, members of the class, come on the platform 
dressed as elderly ladies, but jaunty, active and alert, with 
only their white hair to show the flight of years. They 



194 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

exchange a few words to show they have met after long 
separation, and a few comments and inquiries bring out 
the present occupation of each; one may be a grand- 
mother and the other may be some successful professional 
woman. 

These remarks lead to reminiscences of their graduating 
class, and exchange of news on the present occupation or 
past history of each member. The class sitting back of 
them on the platform becomes the visualized memory 
which is the subject of their conversation, and the two 
ladies turn to the class occasionally while speaking. 

Or another form of the " looking backward " prophecy 
is given by two girls of the class, one being the grand- 
mother and the other her granddaughter, whose gradua- 
tion dress brings back to the grandmother her own com- 
mencement and descriptions of the destinies of the various 
members. Or a boy may be the grandfather, telling his 
grandson or granddaughter about what has become of the 
members of his own class. 

Class Toasts 
'm 

To THE Girls of the Class 

Here's to the girls of the High School, 

A toast I am glad to propose ; 
To the better half of our classmates, 

The brightest, as everyone knows. 

There isn't a doubt of your wisdom, 
You've learned everything in the books ; 

And, what's more important to men folks, 
You're a class of graduate cooks ! 

For the future we wish you good fortune, 
And everything good fortune sends ; 



COMMENCEMENT AFFAIRS 195 

We assure you that always you'll find us 
Your sincere and most loyal friends. 

Then here's to the girls of the High School, 
The school that none may surpass ; 
For the sake of our school days together, 
I give you — The Girls of our Class ! 

To THE Boys of the Class 

Here's to the boys of the High School, 
Our brothers, our comrades, our chums ; 

Whenever I think of their virtues 
My head with their praises just hums! 

They've faithfully sampled our cooking; 

They've purchased our candy and cake; 
And brought their loose change to the auctions 

We've held for sweet charity's sake. 

At many a party they've saved us. 
My sisters, from being wall flowers, 

Although they preferred, we are certain, 
The quiet of home study hours. 

Then here's to the boys of the High School, 
Good fortune, as years swiftly pass; 
And may the world have cause to honor 
The men once the Boys of our Class ! 



CHAPTER XI 

FOURTH OF JULY PARTIES 

A Picnic for the Fourth-of-July House Party 

A most original idea in picnics is the horseback picnic 
for country girls, but a delightful walking trip might be 
similarly arranged. 

The Girl was entertaining four college chums, and the 
Boy, a neighbor from across the fields, had opportunely 
brought home four " good fellows " from the university. 

This picnic was one of the happy ideas which flashed 
into the Girl's mind, which the Boy gladly helped to carry 
out. They sent invitations to five girls and five boys of 
that horseback-fun-loving-country neighborhood to appear 
at the Girl's home mounted on horseback, at five o'clock 
on the morning of the Fourth of July. 

The guests found the Girl and the Boy and their col- 
lege friends already mounted. On the old-fashioned horse 
block were piled twenty little pasteboard boxes gayly tied 
with the national colors and the right size to fit into coat 
pockets. Each young man was asked to ride up and pro- 
vide himself with two of these boxes. He was then told to 
pick six small flags which bloomed in rank profusion upon 
the honeysuckle hedge, and to decorate a young lady, 
himself and their horses, two for each bridle. 

Thus gayly arrayed, they set off two by two, the Girl 
and the Boy leading the way and telling the others to fol- 
196 



FOURTH OF JULY PARTIES 197 

low the flags. They had gone only a short distance before 
they halted the cavalcade before a gate upon whose post 
was tacked a small flag. The Boy opened the gate, allow- 
ing the column to pass through, and, after closing the 
gate, took his place by the girl in the rear, each young 
man being asked to move up by the side of the girl just in 
front. This unexpected change caused much merriment. 

" Now," explained the Girl, " you will find flags blazing 
the trail, sometimes in unlooked-for places, but the leading 
man must instantly follow directions when a flag is spied 
and take his place at the rear. If he fails to see the flag 
I shall not call attention to it, but pass on; but he shall 
have a penalty imposed by the first person to see the flag, 
to be paid on demand. As soon as the flag is discovered 
we must all turn back to it, the leader going to the rear." 

A delightful trail had been blazed through deserted 
roads and narrow lanes, where they were compelled to 
stoop to escape the overhanging branches, across high 
hills, along fern-fringed streams, through woodlands, 
where eyes must watch warily for the sign of the flag, and 
where now and then a penalty was imposed, the naming of 
which by the jubilant discoverer called forth peals of 
laughter. 

And so they picked their way about the picturesque 
country, sometimes even taking down several rails from 
a " worm fence " in order to continue their journey. 

At last on the corner of an old stone wall, which ran 
beneath a row of " bending apple trees," they came upon 
a great tin pail, above which floated the guarding flag; 
and, dangling from it by twenty red, white and blue rib- 
bons, were bright little tin cups. The Girl now suggested 
that the boys produce their boxes, in which were found a 
dainty assortment of sandwiches, deviled eggs, cheese 
and olives. All were urged to help themselves, without 



198 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

dismounting, to the iced tea found in the pail, each one re- 
serving his cup. 

This delightful stop accomplished, they rode only a few- 
paces ahead to find such a wealth of " blackberry cone pur- 
pling over hedge and stone " that they were not reluctant 
again to follow the suggestion of the flags stuck here and 
there and to gather the luscious fruit. This they were 
begged to do provided that again they did not dismount 
and that they fill their small cups as speedily as possible. 
The girl and the boy first succeeding in this feat were 
awarded gay little red, white and blue riding crops. 

Again they took up their march, having in the course of 
the trail " changed partners " dozens of times, but they 
were again called to a halt at the foot of the blackberry 
lane, before the quaintest and cleanest of spring houses, by 
an old colored " aunty," who wore a red, white and blue 
kerchief tied snugly over her gray hair. This smiling old 
" aunty " offered them delicious ice cream piled on bright 
tin plates. An abundance of cake, such as country girls 
know how to make, called forth a volley of compliments 
for the Girl, but she insisted it would not taste good with- 
out the Boy's ice cream. 

Twilight was deepening as they advanced, no more flags 
being seen in the gloom, as they rode on through the .even- 
ing sounds, a couple turning off at this fork of the road, 
or at that open gate, until at last the diminished party dis- 
mounted at the old horse block. 

As a rest on the ride, or a diversion on a walk, a stunt 
that fits into this scheme is to arrange to stop where a 
small stack of hay has been provided. In it is hidden a 
huge peanut, the kind used for party favors. Each mem- 
ber of the party is given a garden rake and all are told 
to hunt for the '' Peanut in the Haystack." A merry 
scramble ensues, and in a little while the spot resembles 



FOURTH OF JULY PARTIES 199 

a miniature hayfield, with " Maud Mullers " industriously 
raking. 



A Betsy Ross Porch Party for Fourth of July 

The invitations to this party should be written on cards 
decorated with flag " stickers," and the following rime 
would be appropriate: 

On Fourth of July please come to my porch, 

You'll find it quite cool, though the weather should scorch. 
With needles so busy we'll follow the ways 

Of fair Mistress Ross of colonial days. 

This party may be given on a porch on Fourth of July 
morning from nine until eleven thirty, and for this pur- 
pose the porch should be gayly decorated with flags, and 
red, white and blue sweet peas. 

A RIBBON FLAG 

After all the guests have arrived, pass small baskets 
decorated with tri-color ribbon, each basket containing 
strips of red, white and blue ribbon. The guests are then 
requested to select material for a flag, and when ready 
for the stars, gummed silver stars should be supplied. 

To make twenty flags will require: 

Twenty yards of red silk baby ribbon. 

Seventeen and one-half yards of white silk baby ribbon. 

Cut eighty strips of red ribbon four inches long. 

Cut sixty strips white ribbon four inches long. 

Cut sixty strips of white ribbon six and one-half inches 
long. 

Cut sixty strips of red ribbon six and one-half inches 
long. 



200 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Twenty pieces dark blue silk two inches by two and 
one-half inches. 

One dozen boxes of silver stars, (gummed). 

DO YOU KNOW THE SIGNERS? 

How little we know about the men who made the Fourth 
of July historic and gave us our first Independence Day ! 
Do you know how many Signers of the Declaration of 
Independence there were, and who of them are referred 
to in the couplets that follow? 

Of our fifty-six " Signers " tried and true, 
Which ones now pass us in review? 

I — The oldest and the wittiest, too, 

Of this brave band of patriots true. 
2 — "Demosthenes of Maryland" styled, 

Of family fine and manners mild. 
3 — 'The man who eighty miles did ride, 

The vote for Delaware to decide. 

4 — Of Quaker birth, this Signer wary 

Became first Naval Secretary. 

5 — Maryland did this Croesus give. 

Who all the Signers did outlive. 

6 — On the cobbler's bench twenty years of his life — 

The clearest of heads in our days of strife. 

7 — An early graduate of Yale, 

His courage ne'er was known to fail. 

8 — To his dog-kennel fied in haste 

When Britishers his farm laid waste. 

9 — A member of "Old Penn's " first class, 

In wit and cheer he did surpass. 
10 — The Revolution's financier. 

Who sacrificed his fortune dear. 
II — An Englishman who helped our strife 

And in a duel lost his life. 



FOURTH OF JULY PARTIES 201 

12 — Never imprisoned was this Signer — 

Unlike the others from Carolina. 

13 — A delegate from Maryland's lines, 

Elected to Congress just five times. 

14 — A slave importer in early life, 

A Naval aid in time of strife. 

15 — A Harvard Freshman at fourteen. 

Became a lawyer famed and keen. 

16 — He plainly signed that George HI need 

Not wear his spectacles to read. 

17 — But three months' schooling was the fate 

Of this Supreme Court Judge of State. 

18 — The only clergyman on the Document, 

A Scot, and Princeton's learned President. 
19-20 — Two Signers on same Fourth of July 

Just fifty years afterward did die. 
21-22 — Two brothers from Virginia came 

To sign this Document of Fame. 

23 — Devoted to his countryside, 

Vice-President of U. S. he died. 

24 — The youngest who the draft did sign. 

But twenty-seven at the time. 

Key: i, Benjamin Franklin. 2, Samuel Chase. 3, Cassar 
Rodney. 4, Joseph Hewes. 5, Charles Carroll. 6, Roger 
Sherman. 7, Philip Livingston. 8, John Hart. 9, Francis 
Hopkinson. 10, Robert Morris. 11, Button Gwinnett. 12, 
Thomas Lynch, Jr. 13, Thomas Stone. 14, William Whipple. 
15, Robert Treat Paine. 16, John Hancock. 17, John Mor- 
ton. 18, John Witherspoon. 19-20, Thomas Jefferson and 
John Adams. 21-22, Francis Lightfoot Lee and Richard 
Henry Lee. 23, Elbridge Gerry. 24, Edward Rutledge. 



Refreshment and Other Ideas 

Every refreshment committee will, I think, welcome the 
suggestions of the Liberty Bell table with its buffet serv- 



202 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

ice. Strips of blue bunting paneled with silver stars orna- 
ment the sides of the square table. Red, white and blue 
flowers are used for decoration: red and white carnations 
and blue love-in-a-mist or bachelor's buttons make a good 
combination. The food is attractive enough for any fes- 
tive occasion : There is a large mold of jellied red-tomato 
salad with star garnish of white potatoes; a plate of bell- 
shaped sandwiches, a plate of star cookies iced in the 
colors, iced tea; and ice cream also appropriately molded 
in bell forms will be presented to the guests. 

If no orchestral music can be obtained your talking ma- 
chine, with its stirring patriotic records and medleys, will 
supply the need of music. This may also be used in a 
novel way as a distinct entertainment feature. 

The first requisite is an enormous talking machine made 
of cardboard, colored with mahogany stain and as nearly 
a copy of the original as possible. For convenience there 
should be screens closely placed on each side. In front of 
the machine are seated the guests; behind it await the 
artists. Behind the scenes is also a real talking machine. 

The host strikes the keynote of the entertainment by 
ascending a little ladder and placing on a black record (a 
disk made of cardboard) and turning the great crank at 
the side. This apparently starts a record. Of course 
this selection is really played on the machine behind the 
imitation cabinet. 

At its close the host turns the record over, turns the 
crank, and the lower doors of the great machine open, 
and out step, one at a time, as corresponding records are 
played, Uncle Sam, Columbia, Yankee Doodle, Indians, 
folk from Dixie, Hawaiians, American schoolboy, and 
other characters representative of Uncle Sam and his do- 
mains, who pantomime the song or music as nearly as pos- 



FOURTH OF JULY PARTIES 203 

sible. " America, I Love You " is a good one for Colum- 
bia, and " I'm an American " for the schoolboy. 

At the close of each number the artist bows and returns 
to the rear room through the doors of the machine. 
There should be a black cloth curtain hung at the back of 
the big box, so that no other artists may be seen during 
the entrance and exit. The host, too, must be mindful 
of his realism and change the disk and wind the crank 
before each musician appears. 

Where the company is small enough to help entertain 
one another all will be interested in games suited to the 
occasion. 

The Outdoor Patriotic Fete 

Patriotic affairs may take many forms. One of the best 
will be the outdoor fete, which may be on a block of 
porches in the city, or on a lawn, in a garden, on a vacant 
lot or in an idle field in the suburbs or the country. They 
may range from the tea party or luncheon of the sewing 
or knitting club to the large community affair. 

Patriotism is not noise, but there should be features that 
will make one thrill with the spirit of the occasion. 

After securing your grounds you should arrange for 
their lighting, if it is to be an evening affair, not with 
Japanese lanterns this time but of paper and cardboard, 
made for shielding candles or for covering electric bulbs, 
decorated with the colors or appliqued with stars and the 
American eagle. 

You will need to provide a welcoming committee for the 
extension of cordial hospitality, committees on refresh- 
ment and a committee on entertainment features. The 
latter will be enjoyable even at small sewing parties. 



204 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

A Texas Romance 

A woman's club in Texas used this idea. It is adapt- 
able to any state and is a game that will be interesting to 
young and old. They first cut out, from white paper in 
duplicate, maps of their state, and tied them together with 
red, white and blue baby ribbon. The upper map bore 
this announcement with the names of the hostesses: 

The Thursday Club, on Texas Day, 

Your coming will await, 
To honor in a social way 

The Lone Star State. 

On the under map were outlined the rivers of the state, 
and a number of townsi were marked. The guests were 
given maps as they entered. A story, " A Texas Ro- 
mance," was distributed, and blanks were filled with the 
names of the Texas towns found on the under map. 

Large red " Lone Stars " containing the names of coun- 
ties, in pictures or in rebus form, were then hung up, as 
Mason, Foard, Wood, Stonewall, Potter etc., and each 
guest* went from one to another, guessing the name of a 
county and writing it opposite a number on his card. 
For a prize a " History of Montague County," the local 
county, by one of the club members was given. 

A Merry-Go-Round 

Jolly good fun is a " Merry-Go-Round," which is a 
progressive affair. At each table is a contest peculiar to 
our own country : Guessing the grains of the United 
States, samples of which are provided; guessing the wild 
flowers; giving states' nicknames; answering a set of 
questions to which every good American should know the 



FOURTH OF JULY PARTIES 205 

answers; historic facts about one's own town, and so on; 
but the jolly part is emphasized by the presentation of red, 
white or blue balloons to the winners at each table. 

The Fourth of July Luncheon 

For the Fourth of July luncheon or party table arrange 
to have Betsy Ross herself seated in a small chair as the 
centerpiece. A plot of lawn should be under her feet, 
from which are springing red, white and blue flowers. 
Over her lap place a small reproduction of the flag made 
by Betsy Ross with the thirteen stars in a circle. Runners 
of red white and blue may extend from the centerpiece to 
each corner of the table where they end under tiny bas- 
kets of red carnations and white and blue cornflowers. 

The ice served should be '" Liberty Frappe." To make 
this: To one pint of grape juice add a pint of water, the 
juice of a lem-on, and sugar to taste. Freeze to a mush 
and serve in glasses with a spoonful of whipped cream and 
a candied cherry topping each one. With this serve indi- 
vidual iced cakes. 

Have a boutonniere of red, white and blue flowers for 
the gentlemen, and corsage bouquets of the same for the 
ladies. If a luncheon is given carrying out the color 
scheme throughout the courses, pretty and suitable place- 
cards may be made by simply using the the flag seal on a 
large plain white card, on which is written in blue or red 
ink a patriotic or famous saying by a note'd American, 
such as the following: 

"America, half-brother of the world! 
With something good and bad of every land ! " 

Baily. 

" I only regret that I have but one life to give my country." 

Nathan Hale. 



2o6 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

"I am an American — and wherever I look up and see the 
Stars and Stripes overhead, that is home to me." 

O. W. Holmes. 

The Garden Club 

The " Garden Club " was composed of four enthusiasts 
whose suburban gardens adjoined. At one of their meet- 
ings in early summer they decided to have an evening 
party which would be unique for a private undertaking. 

It was to be a Fourth of July celebration. Something 
unusual in the way of paper and envelopes was secured 
from a Japanese store. On this paper, in the Japanese 
style of lettering, one hundred invitations were printed by 
pen, in columns reading down. The recipients declared 
they had lots of fun deciphering them, and some interest- 
ing acceptances in the same spirit were received. 

A quaint Japanese tea-house, the meeting-place of the 
club, situated in a corner of the adjoining gardens, pro- 
vided easy access one way, and in another corner a por- 
tion of the hedge was removed and a temporary bridge 
made, which proved the connecting link for the other 
garden. The men of the families erected wooden posts at 
intervals along the boundaries and strung wires between 
them, upon which hundreds of Japanese lanterns were 
hung, and also at all prominent angles of the houses, 
porches and around the tea-house; the most striking lan- 
terns were reserved for the tall shrubs. Beside each table 
on the lawns was erected a post eight feet high on which 
was hung an extra large lantern; this provided sufficient 
light for the games played at each table. In each garden, 
under a huge Japanese umbrella decorated with many 
small lanterns, red, white and blue streamers and flags, a 
table with punch bowl and glasses was presided over by a 
pretty girl in costume. Score-cards with patriotic de- 



FOURTH OF JULY PARTIES 207 

signs and pencils tied with red, white and blue ribbons 
were used. 

The hostesses received their guests in the tea-house 
and distributed the score cards there. With the many- 
hued lanterns lighted, flowers in bloom, including the 
lovely Japanese iris, and tinkling music the scene was a 
veritable fairyland. On the tables later in the evening 
refreshments of ice cream, cake, sweets and coffee were 
served. 



CHAPTER XII 
THE PORCH AND GARDEN PARTIES 

Entertaining on the Porch 

For the outdoor party you might decorate your porch 
tastefully with flowers. Take a picture of it with a 
small camera and have it printed on a post card on which 
you might write a few words of invitation. 

PROGRESSIVE LETTERS 

A good game for the porch is " Progressive Letters." 
In the center of each of four tables is a pile of letters 
placed face downward. The hostess announces that the 
guests are to go to a dry-goods store and make purchases. 
Then the fun begins, especially for the gentlemen, who 
are not used to shopping. If you draw an " R " and can- 
not immediately think of some article to purchase in a dry- 
goods store beginning with that letter, and the one to your 
left says " Ribbon," she gets the point. The partners ob- 
taining the most points progress. Then the hostess an- 
nounces that they must call at the drug store for a few 
purchases; then at the hardware store and the grocery 
store. After they have done sufficient shopping they are 
ready to take a trip. This time the letters they draw tell 
the rivers to be crossed, the cities to be visited and the 
names of the people they will meet on their tour. 
208 



PORCH AND GARDEN PARTIES 209 

PIN CONTEST 

Another diversion which may be used is a " Pin Con- 
test." For this supply each guest with a saucer and one 
strip of pins from a new package. At a signal each one 
must take out all the pins and place them in a saucer, and 
then within a given time put them back in the same holes in 
the paper. 

This is not so easy as it seems, as hurried fingers are 
sometimes clumsy and the pins must be picked up and put 
in place one at a time. 

TETE-A-TETE LUNCHEON BOARDS 

Tete-a-tete luncheon boards are a novelty for a small 
garden party. Partners are seated facing each other and 
given a lapboard fifteen inches by twenty-four, covered 
with a linen cloth. A luncheon of sandwiches and salads 
may be taken care of very comfortably by this means. 
If used for evening affairs small tables may be placed 
about to hold the shaded lights, bonbons, olives, etc. 

If you have not enough small tables to use on your 
porch for small groups and your dining room is too lim- 
ited to seat as many as you wish to invite make each guest 
a tray of thin board, twelve by fifteen inches, covering 
it with white paper; then cover pieces of lath with paper, 
nailing these to the edges and ends of the board, making 
a strong, unique tray. When your guests have assembled 
tell them you have arranged a " Cafeteria Supper." Ask 
each one to take a tray and go into the dining room, where 
napkins and silver are first to be placed on the tray, then 
kindly to go around the dining table, liberally serving one- 
self from every dish, and return to the porch to eat. 
Drinks, milk, lemonade, iced tea and buttermilk should be 
placed on a table in the living room. When this course 
is finished request each one to place the soiled dishes in a 



210 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

small back room (on a table prepared) and once more to 
go around the dining-room table for the salad course. 
This procedure may be repeated for ice cream, coffee and 
cake. 

VACATION TRIP ON THE PORCH 

A " Vacation Trip on the Porch " may be made quite 
enjoyable. Make your porch as festive as you can with 
pennants, cushions and ferns. Provide a stock of old 
magazines, scissors and mucilage. Tm^o girls who tried 
this plan invited thirty girls and arranged eight tables for 
the " crowd." They cut fake railway tickets in two for 
partners. Then they told their guests that summer was 
vacation-time and they were going to give them all a 
trip. For the best account when they returned a prize 
would be given. 

Booklets were provided, entitled, " My Vacation," and 
on each page were pictured the " Conveyances We Rode 
In," " The Hotels At Which We Stopped," " What We 
Ate," " How We Spent Our Time," " What We Saw," 
" People We Met," etc. 

A welcome home in the form of a good supper should 
await the travelers, and any little convenience for travel- 
ing, such as a collapsible drinking cup, would make a suit' 
able prize for the best souvenir booklet. 

A COOL RECEPTION 

A " cool reception " on a hot August evening proves 
most refreshing. Decorate the porch with huge ther- 
mometers made for the occasion of pasteboard, on which 
the indicators point to several degrees below zero. Glass 
pendants representing icicles dropped from the edge of 
the porch roof, and cotton wadding in " drifts " plentifully 
sprinkled with diamond dust complete the scheme. 



PORCH AND GARDEN PARTIES 211 

An electric fan whirling just a little back of and just 
above a one-hundred-pound block of ice aids in the delu- 
sion. 

The program: 

Quartet, "Jingle Bells" (Sleighing Song). 
Recitation, "Mr. Winkle on Skates" (from "Pickwick 
Papers"). 

Piano Solo (inside the window), "A Winter's Tale." 
Reading from "Little Sister Snow" (Frances Little). 
Chorus by Children, " Snowflake Song." 

At the conclusion of the program white cards were 
passed, with white pencils attached, and in the dim light of 
the porch we tried to see who could draw up the longest 
list of things suggestive of coolness. After fifteen min- 
utes a pair of thick woolen gloves was awarded the win- 
ner. 

For refreshments pineapple ice, which is white, and 
cakes with white icing were served. 

When Refreshments Grow on Trees 

Now here is just the plan for a bungalow community 
in the woods. Did you ever hear of anything so unique 
in serving refreshments? When the time arrived for re- 
freshments at this particular party a card containing di- 
rections was passed to each guest : 

" Take the path to your left that winds and winds 
through a garden of beauty and plenty: where the trees 
are all laden with wonderful fruit and the bushes are hung 
with goodies. At the Fountain of Youth drink deep, but 
beware of the Tree of Knowledge." 

In groups of twos and threes the guests took the "path 
to the left." The first sign with a hand pointing the di- 
rection read : " To the Tissue Wood Tree." This tree 



212 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

was hung with wooden plates and a ball of paper napkins. 
The next sign read: " To the Fountain of Youth." Here 
a deep pail filled with ice-cold lemonade had been sunk in 
the ground and covered about with leaves. The next turn 
brought to view the sign : " To the Breadfruit Tree," 
where sandwiches wrapped in oiled paper were tied to the 
branches. Other signs read : " To the Egg Tree," " To 
the Cookie Tree," " To the Candy Tree," " To the Fruit 
Tree," " To the Nut Tree," and, last of all, " The Tree of 
Knowledge." This tree was rather difficult to get at, but 
the efforts of all were rewarded by a tree laden with ap- 
ples cut from red card-board having an original fortune 
written on one side. With plates filled with goodies all 
returned to the clearing close by the " Fountain of Youth," 
where rugs and cushions had been spread and hammocks 
hung. 

These Enjoyed Helping Themselves 

Another hostess invited her guests to come at ten a. m., 
bring an apron and spend the day. As she greeted them 
they drew a numbered slip, two or more receiving the 
same number, according to the task assigned them. Out 
on the lawn were two large tables, also a tent in which 
was a gasoline stove. The hostess had baked light rolls 
and had cake and ice cream sent from the caterer's: the 
rest of the dinner was to be prepared by the guests. The 
" Rules and Regulations " tacked on the porch read some- 
thing like this — explicit directions being given where to 
find each article — 

1. Set the tables. 4. Climb tree for fly brushes, 

2. Decorate the tables. Find and shoo the flies. 

flowers in back yard. 5- Prepare potatoes for cook- 

3. Make place-cards. ing. 



PORCH AND GARDEN PARTIES 213 

6. Cook potatoes. 11. Pour the water. 

7. Shell peas. 12. Serve ice cream. 

8. Grind meat (raw round I3- Cut cake and serve. 

steak). 14. Prepare cucumbers. 

9. Dredge meat well, sea- I5- Prepare salad, etc., etc. 

son, fry in butter. " Every one wash her own 

10. Make and serve coffee. dishes." 

" Many hands make light work," and in this case " too 
many cooks " did not " spoil the broth." Such a plan 
makes every one feel at home. 

An Outdoor Social 

During the summer months lawn socials are always 
popular ; new ideas may be carried out by using pushcarts. 

Music in the open air always sounds well, so we had 
an orchestra. We had a chorus of young girls dressed as 
gypsies, who sang some bright songs about gypsies, 
birds, the woods and outdoor life. They sang every 
half hour, always standing in a different part of 
the lawn to sing. A chorus of boys dressed as cowboys, 
with large hats, blouses, bright handkerchiefs knotted 
about their necks, and with long trousers with fringe cut 
from cloth sewed down the outside seams, sang gay songs 
of Western life, or the most recent popular songs. 

The program was given in sections, one or two num- 
bers being sung, followed by a pause during which the 
pushcarts were manipulated. The cart for candy and pea- 
nuts was a common wheelbarrow trimmed in a fancy man- 
ner. Each cart, of whatever kind, was gayly decorated 
with colored cloth or paper. Two ladies attended each 
cart. They were dressed in white trimmed with colored 
crepe paper to correspond with the prevailing color of 
the cart. 



214 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

The cart with the lemonade was decorated in yellow; 
the one with pickles in green. There were two or three 
carts with ice cream, another with sandwiches, still an- 
other with cake and fancy cookies, etc. This is amusing 
if well planned and carried out. 

A Headdress Party 

A Students' Association had a very successful party, 
carrying out an idea that is especially good for a lawn 
party. Each guest had to wear a headdress belonging to 
some special century, or country, or suggestive of some 
idea or joke. The headdresses were supposed to be made 
by the wearers at small cost; prizes were given for the 
most artistic, the most effective, the most ingenious and 
the most comical. 

The prize for the most artistic headdress went to a 
high, white medieval cap made of cheesecloth and stiff 
muslin worn in England in the time of Edward I. The 
most effective headdress was an enormous white oxeye 
daisy made of paper; the most ingenious was a cat's 
head that fitted like a mask all over the head, and was 
made of stiff muslin covered with gray packing paper and 
painted ; the most comical was a caricature of the prevail- 
ing fashion of the time, worn by a tall, red-haired young 
man. 

The parade past the judges was a most amusing spec- 
tacle, and I suggest that, while this entertainment was 
not intended for a charitable purpose, a small charge 
might be made to those who would like to look on at the 
fun. 

A Horoscope Party on the Porch 

A Horoscope Party was a clever and original entertain- 
ment planned and carried out by a bright-witted college 



PORCH AND GARDEN PARTIES 215 

girl. Assuming the character of an astrologer, the host- 
ess wore for the occasion a long black robe with flowing 
sleeves and neck finished with bands of silver, and a tall, 
peaked, black cap decorated with a silver star. You 
might carry out this idea by decorating your porch in 
black, spangled with silver stars and half-moons, and 
on the wall have twelve large sheets of white paper ar- 
ranged in a circle around a flaming golden sun. There 
were twelve guests at this party, and each was asked to 
draw on one of the sheets a sign of the zodiac. The dif- 
ferent ones were assigned in turn, namely : Aries, Pisces, 
Aquarius, Capricornus, Sagittarius, Scorpio, Libra, Virgo, 
Leo, Cancer, Gemini and Taurus, so that a complete zo- 
diac was made. The guests, like every one else, had seen 
the signs in almanacs all their lives, but very few had 
any idea what the pictures looked like, and fewer still 
could draw them ; so the struggles of the artists and their 
productions were intensely funny, as may readily be im- 
agined. 

After the zodiac was made the horoscopes were drawn. 
The astrologer seated the guests in a circle and distributed 
pencils and long strips of paper. The writing of the horo- 
scopes then proceeded in the manner of the old game of 
" Consequences," each writing what was directed, then 
folding down the paper to conceal the writing and pass- 
ing it to the right-hand neighbor, and receiving in turn 
the paper from the neighbor on the left; the papers being 
folded over after each inscription, and traveling around 
the circle till the list was complete. Each then signed the 
paper she had and passed it to the astrologer, who un- 
folded and read them when they had all been handed in — 
the subject of each being the girl whose name was signed 
at the bottom. From their horoscopes the guests learned 
much about themselves that was new and startling, and 



2i6 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

the reading was in many instances interrupted by gales 
of laughter. 

The following are the directions for writing : 

year, month, day, hour and 



I. 


Write a past date — y 


minute. 


2. 


Name of a planet. 


3- 


Name of a place. 


4- 


Describe a character. 


5- 


Name of a disease. 


6. 


Name of a plant. 


7- 


Name of small object. 


8. 


A kind of food. 


9- 


A geographical location. 


10. 


An occupation. 


II. 


One of the arts. 


12. 


Describe a character. 


13- 


A number. 


14. 


A sum of money. 



The signature of the writer should, of course, be added. 

The horoscopes should be read as follows, supplying 
the written items of the corresponding numbers. 

First read the name signed at the bottom — as, Mary 
Smith. 



1. Was born 

2. under the planet 

3. at 

4. Her character is 

5. She has a constitutional tendency to 

6. But will find an antidote in 

7. She should wear about her neck as an amulet 

8. She should avoid 

9. She should gravitate toward 



PORCH AND GARDEN PARTIES 217 



10. Will succeed at 

11. But will be a total failure at 



12. She should marry a person of the following char- 
acter : 

13. Will marry times. 

14. Will amass a fortune of 

This Little Party Was a " Peach " 

Let me tell you of a pretty peach party given for a little 
girl. Peaches and leaves in fa-ncy baskets were placed 
about the rooms — one for each girl. 

We had a large sheet with a big peach pasted on it. 
The girls were given a stem to pin in the right place on 
the peach, after being blindfolded. Of course, this game 
resembles the " donkey-and-tail " game. 

We had a " Peach Hunt " on the lawn. In the hedges 
and cedars and among the flowers were all kinds of 
peaches. To the one finding the most was given a peach 
pincushion. 

In the dining room a hand-painted booklet in the shape 
of a peach was at each place. We had peach ice cream, 
peach cake and " peachade " for refreshments. 

A Moonlight Party 

So many requests have come at various times for help in 
arranging a " Moonlight Party " that I am going to make 
some suggestions here in the hope that if you plan one the 
moon will not fail to beam upon you. And what more 
could be desired than a moonlit lawn, good company and 
a bit of music ! That is pleasure itself. 

The invitations, written on the reverse of cardboard 
crescents covered with silver paper, or full moons covered 
with gold paper, might read: 



2i8 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Find out moonshine, 

Find out moonshine ! 

Come to 30 Wesley Terrace 

At eight of the clock and 

Frolic by the light of the moon! 

Matching halved-moon quotations, like Shelley's " That 
orbed maiden with white fire laden, whom mortals call the 
moon," may be one of the " mixer " games of the evening. 

There are many sentimental vocal selections where 
everything depends on the " silvery moon shining softly." 
Indeed they may range all the way from one of the old 
favorites like " Roll On, Silver Moon," to " Wynken, 
Blynken and Nod." For an instrumental selection one 
stands preeminent, Beethoven's " Moonlight Sonata." 

Here are some " Moon " questions which may be an- 
swered without paper or pencil. 

1. Why is a "lunatic" so called? It has been thought 
that such a person is affected by the changes of the moon. 

2. What was the old chemical name for silver? 
" Luna," Latin name for moon. 

3. What has the moon to do with the division of the 
year into months? The moon revolves around the earth 
every thirty days. 

4. Why is the moon called " she " ? Because she has 
not the strength of the sun, but only reflects the light she 
receives. Also because of her beauty. 

5. What country has the crescent on its standard? Tur- 
key. 

6. In what religions does the crescent figure largely? 
Greek and Mohammedan. 

7. Why is a "moonshiner" so called? Because he dis- 
tils by moonlight. 

8. How does a moonstone get its name? Because of 



PORCH AND GARDEN PARTIES 219 

its yellowish or greenish white color, and also the beauti- 
ful play of light which it exhibits. 

9. Why is the harvest moon so called? Because in 
certain latitudes it occurs full nearest the autumnal equi- 
nox, a time when some nations have their harvests. 

10. When is the moon " gibbous " ? As she increases 
after the first quarter. 

A prize may be offered for the wittiest and most original 
answer to the fourth question. 

Here is a good story about the tenth question : 

" Sambo," said a gentleman to a negro, " can you tell 
me why the moon is called ' gibbous ' when it is nearly 
full?" 

" 'Deed I don't know, boss," repHed Sambo, " 'less it's 
because it will gib us more light." 

A " Meteor Race " would also be interesting and very 
pretty to watch. Give two lighted candles to each couple 
and bid them race the length of the course. Little aero- 
plane prizes would be pretty rewards for the first couple 
" in " with the candles still lighted. 

For refreshments one might have : 

Moon Sandwiches a la Green Cheese. (Cream cheese filled 
with chopped olives.) 

Man in the Moon Ice. (Orange ice in orange shape. Can- 
died cherry mouth and salted nuts for eyes and nose), or 

"Moonshine" (a peach charlotte). 

Crescent Cakes. (Yellow-iced with faces marked in white 
icing.) 

Star-shaped Cookies. 

Marshmallow Toast 

I have an idea that girls will like to issue this invita- 
tion for a " Moonlight Frolic " followed by a " Marsh- 
mallow Toast " : 



220 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Moon am a-shining, 
O, A lovely shine! 
OuR voices chiming 
NonSense half the time. 
LaugH now, and jolly be; 
In the Moonlight's gleam 
Glee is A necessity, 
HeartfeLt, 'tv^rould seem. 
Take each Light moon ray 
For a lucky Omen, 
Raying as if 'Twould lay 
Over us, good fOrtune. 
Lest we now may Anger them, 
Intone each this Spell — 
"Come, mirth; deparT, gloom! 
Ring sorrow's knell! " 
Place Date 



THE ALLIED GAME 

To secure partners for the walk use the games of " Al- 
lies." Give to each man the name of an article with which 
another article is naturally associated, a girl holding the 
" ally." For instance, if a man gets " Pork " he hunts 
the girl who has "Beans"; "Ham" hunts "Eggs"; 
" Collars," " Cuffs " ; " Bread," " Butter " ; " Crackers," 
" Cheese " ; etc. 

The girl who leads in the walk has a horn, and every 
time the horn is sounded partners are changed, each man 
stepping up with the girl just in front. The man walking 
with the girl in the lead drops back to the rear. The walk 
ends at the place where it is possible to have the " Marsh- 
mallow Toast " indicated in acrostic style on the invita- 
tion. If other entertainment is required the good old- 
fashioned games will be most enjoyed. 



PORCH AND GARDEN PARTIES 221 

Here Is a New Kind of Picnic ■ 

Picnics are genuine fun only when each member of the 
party contributes equally to the general enjoyment. 
Where this principle is insisted upon success is assured. 
So in planning and plotting conspire to that end. 

On a " Let's do this next " picnic the members of the 
party are numbered consecutively, and, beginning with the 
moment they are assembled, whether at a common start- 
ing-point or at the picnic grounds, they can only do what 
is suggested by each member in turn, beginning with Num- 
ber One. When Number One's suggestion has been car- 
ried out the tab-keeper asks of Number Two (or calls her 
by name): "What shall we do next?" And Number 
Two says, " Let's do this next," and makes the suggestion. 
If the circle is completed before breaking-up time, which 
is unlikely, they begin again. Thus, Number One may 
suggest that the start be made for the grounds by all walk- 
ing backward a certain distance ; Number Two may decree 
a steady trot for an equal distance, and Number Three 
may call for an ordinary walk with no one uttering a 
sound; and similar nonsensical actions may be suggested. 

At the grounds the member whose number comes next 
might suggest the game of " Maze." This original game 
is a hearty laugh-producer. Cards numbered from i to 
12, say, are tacked or hung on trees fairly well separated, 
and so located that a runner must go back and forth and 
roundabout in order to find the cards consecutively accord- 
ing to number. For instance, the runner finds Number i ; 
then, if while looking for Number 2 he discovers 4 or 6, 
the 4 or 6 will not count; he must find Number 2, then 
Number 3, and so on until he completes the circuit, in 
order to win a prize. It enhances the fun to have a booby 



222 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

prize. The cards should be hung at a height of about 
five feet. 

The next suggestion might be for a quiet way of pass- 
ing half an hour. At the luncheon hour the one next in 
turn suggests that v/hoever is to do it should prepare the 
spread; the next in order suggests the first thing that all 
shall partake of ; and this idea is continued until the lunch- 
eon is finished. In this way plenty of fun will come 
naturally. Nonsense, games and some sense can be 
counted upon in the " Let's do this next " picnic. 



CHAPTER XIII 

LAWN AND SPORTS PARTIES 

Table Decorations 
a " no-china " table 

The novelty in this luncheon-table lies in the fact that 
there will be absolutely no dishes to wash, nothing except 
the silver. 

The table-cover is of white oilcloth decorated with yel- 
low roses cut from wall paper, and butterflies cut from a 
roll of crepe paper. The paraffin drinking-cups, papier- 
mache bonbon-dishes and napkins are decorated with rose- 
buds. The paper plates may be purchased decorated. 

The sandwiches are in a center basket lined with waxed 
paper; the berries are in edible French cake-baskets. Ice 
cream may be served in similar baskets. 

Deviled clams may be served upon smaller paper plates, 
with paper doilies under the shells. A salad also might be 
served in individual shells. 

CROQUET ON THE LAWN 

When croquet has been the game a chance to continue 
the good-natured joking on one another's failing points 
is gi\^n by a sight of the table arranged with a minia- 
ture set spaced on an oval framed in delicate sea-moss, 
sometimes called Japanese airplant, and pink ramblers. 
At each place stands a favor in the form of two arches 
223 



224 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

crossed at right angles, with a bonbonniere croquet-ball 
suspended from the center. 

OUTDOOR BASKET SERVICE 

On a charming pink-rose outdoor tea-table the use 
of baskets containing all the articles to be served is a nov- 
elty. The rose idea is carried out not only in the decora- 
tion, but also in the moulding of the ices, and in the color 
of the cream mints and fancy cakes ; the china used helps 
to carry out the idea still farther. The color scheme 
might also be considerably enhanced by the serving of sal- 
mon croquettes with pink radishes, shrimp salad bordered 
with rose petals, and strawberries. 

A ELACK-EYED-SUSAN TABLE 

When Black-Eyed Susans are in bloom they make un- 
usually good table decorations because of their profusion 
and coloring. 

The place-cards which are intended to be used on this 
table will help materially to carry out the color scheme 
and enhance the appropriateness of the name " Black- 
Eyed Susan Table." For these place-cards little doll- 
heads with very black eyes are put in the brown centers 
of the yellow flowers, a name-card is tied to each stem, 
and the wired stems are so pinned to the tablecloth — one 
flower being placed at the side of each cover, of course — 
that the flowers will stand erect as though 'they were all 
growing there. 

The centrepiece, or overhanging ornament is a " Susan- 
Pie " made by covering a wire frame with plain green 
paper first and then with the yellow and brown flowers. 
The hollow interior is filled with little gifts tied to yellow 
ribbon to which the stems of the flowers are attached. 



LAWN AND SPORTS PARTIES 225 

At the close of the luncheon, at a given signal, each guest 
pulls a flower and out comes a little gift. 

The Old Elm's Party 

The Old Elm Tree at Graylodge 

Invites You to 

Its Shade and Shelter 

July Sixteenth Five 0' Clock 

These were the invitations, and the novelty and pleas- 
ure conveyed in them caused every one invited to accept. 
When the guests reached Graylodge, an old-fashioned, 
country-like place, and went out to greet the Old Elm they 
found dainty envelopes hung by silk cords on the rough 
bark of the tree. Each envelope bore the name of a guest, 
and contained a small pencil and a numbered card. As 
they entered the grounds they had noticed numbers fast- 
ened on various trees, and later they were told to " rec- 
ognize " these various trees and write the names opposite 
the corresponding numbers on their cards. As there were 
thirty trees to be identified this led them a merry ramble 
over the grounds — down the garden path, through the or- 
chard and across the stile into the green meadow below. 
Both ladies and gentlemen made up this garden party, and 
so, naturally^ two by two they strayed in search of the 
trees. 

After an hour's wandering the tinkle of a little bell 
called them again to the Elm Tree, where they were seated 
at small tables. From the first it was evident that this 
was to be a " basket supper." Against the elm stood a 
table holding a French basket filled with roses, and imme- 
diately baskets of all shapes and designs began to make 
their appearance. Small, new, baked potatoes hidden in 
a white napkin were passed in a brown open-work basket, 
while the platter of fried chicken fitted just inside a shal- 



226 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

low, traylike one, which served later to hold pats of cot- 
tage cheese laid on lettuce leaves. Brown biscuits and 
twisted sugar rolls were just right in a miniature splint 
basket, and gay little Indian baskets lined with lace paper 
seemed made for the spoons and cut sugar. Cakes and 
fruit came in fancy baskets hned with leaves from the 
grapevine and decorated with flowers from the old gar- 
den. Coffee was served from the side table, and an old- 
time majolica pitcher in basket-work design had been dis- 
covered to hold the cream. The tiny sweet-grass baskets, 
which held the ice cups to a nicety, were afterward taken 
home as favors. 

After supper the cards were judged by the hostess who 
stood sponsor for the Old Elm, and a photograph of the 
tree was given to the one who had correctly named the 
most trees. 



The Athletic Luncheon at the Country Club 

When one wishes to entertain in a novel manner at the 
country club, an unusual and at the same time most ap- 
propriate idea is to invite one's guests, after a set of ten- 
nis, a following of the golf course, a row on the lake, or a 
hike through the woods, to partake of a " Game " or 
" Sport Luncheon." 

If a long table is used and the articles of food served 
much as in picnic style the sportlikeness of some viands 
will call forth continued exclamations of surprise. Fol- 
lowing is an appropriate menu for such a luncheon: 

Menu 

" Sardine " Canapes " Clamshell Combat " 

"" Indian-Club " Sandwiches, With " Game " 

Course : " Beast, Bird or Fish " 



LAWN AND SPORTS PARTIES 227 

" Dumb-Bells " " Fowl " Roast " Parallel Bars " 

Potato " Race " " Squash " Souffle 

" Checkerboard " Sandwiches, With " Leaf-by-Leaf " 

Salad 

" Blocks " " Balls " " Dominoes " 

" Rackets " " Footballs " 

" Bean Bags " " Jackstraws " " Hoops " 

" Punch " 

A luncheon developing this idea was given with much 
success by the members of a college-gymnasium class, with 
their instructors as guests of honor. Each article of food 
is designated on the menu by the name of a game or some 
term used in a game. 

The " Indian-Club " Sandwiches are cut club shape 
from toast and spread with " game " jelly. In the center 
of the table, on a large plate covered with a white doily, 
may be piled the " blocks," which are sponge and sunshine 
cakes cut the proper size, with alphabet letters placed, one 
on each, formed of tiny candies pressed in while the icing 
is soft, or made with chocolate icing applied with a brush. 

The " Checkerboard " Sandwiches are square sand- 
wiches made of white and brown bread alternately, the 
white being filled with cream cheese and chopped olives, 
the brown with cream cheese and chopped olives, the 
" checkers," arranged as if the game were half played, are 
tiny circles of bread, brown or white, " butter side down," 
attached to the checker squares on which they are served. 
The " Parallel Bars " are constructed from celery, trimmed 
to shape. " Dumb-Bells " are made from olives put on 
the ends of sticks carefully whittled for the purpose. 

The " Punch," served in wide-mouthed glasses, has a 
tiny boat of orange peel, with paper sail and toothpick 
mast, floating in each glass. The guest's name may be 
written upon the sail, and these glasses, filled with fruit 



228 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

punch, may be on the table when the guests are seated, if 
desired, as, after exercising, everyone will be thirsty. 

Candy straws are used to represent " Jackstraws," and 
home-made molasses candy is twisted in hoop shape for 
the " Hoops." 

Little " Bean Bags " filled with peppermints are served 
with the ice cream, which is in " Ball " shape ; tiny " Rack- 
ets " and " Football " cookies are also served with these. 

Silver cake, cut and iced, with the center lines and dots 
of chocolate icing, is used for the " Domino " cakes. 

The Country Girl^s City Friends 

The Tylers, simple in taste and limited in means, lived 
a quiet country life. Betty, commuting to high school in 
the city, was constantly entertained in town over week- 
ends. As a result, at the close of the school year she was 
under obligations to everybody. 

Instead of shirking her social responsibilities or sulking 
because she could not afford to entertain in the way that 
she had been entertained, Betty set her brains to work out 
the problem along original lines. 

" An Old Homestead Supper and Party," as her invita- 
tion read, was the happy solution. 

The twenty young friends and their two chaperons, who 
arrived according to schedule, were met at the little coun- 
try station by Betty and her " coach and four," a wagon 
loaded high with hay. Then came the fun of getting the 
" awkward squad " of city folk aboard, beginning the 
laughter that bubbled out afresh every time the huge 
mound on wheels heaved, swayed or rolled, all the lovely 
country-road way to the Tylers' cottage home. 

Supper, announced by the merry tooting of a football 
horn by Betty's young brother, was served in the orchard. 



LAWN AND SPORTS PARTIES 229 

The unique centerpiece o£ the long table was a large green, 
watering-pot filled with outstretched stalks of pink holly- 
hocks, while scattered over the white cloth were upturned 
corollas of the same flower broken off without stems. 
Crosswise, near each end of the table, lay an uncut water- 
melon that nature had artistically striped in dark and light 
green. At the left of each of the wooden plates with 
which the table was set was placed a rose-geranium leaf. 
On the leaf was a highly polished green apple, cored, a 
paper napkin with white ground and pink border, folded in 
the form of a fan, sticking out of the hole at the top of the 
apple. 

The picnic supper, served cold, was of sliced chicken, 
boiled beef tongue, Saratoga chips, hard-boiled eggs 
(with lettuce and mayonnaise served separately), pickles, 
lettuce sandwiches, buttered biscuits and doughnuts. The 
eggs were passed in baskets as though they had just been 
brought in from the barnyard. 

At the appearance of Ned with a pail and dipper to 
ladle out iced lemonade into waiting tin cups, the guests 
began to sing " The Old Oaken Bucket." One song led 
to another, " Under the Old Apple Tree," " The Last Rose 
of Summer," " Comin' Through the Rye," and " The Place 
Where the Four-Leaf Clovers Grow " following each other 
at short intervals. 

Cutting and serving the watermelon inaugurated a lively 
guessing contest over the number of seeds, the prize to the 
winner being a child's set of garden implements that 
caused much merriment. 

While they were finishing the jolly meal, Ned and two 
boy friends, who had helped wait on the table, lighted the 
Chinese lanterns hung from the branches of the trees 
skirting the front lawn, and outdoor games, such as 
" Drop the Handkerchief," " Ring Around Rosy " and 



230 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

" Blindman's Buff," became the frolicsome order of the 
evening. 

A Progressive Age Party 

When the warm summer evenings invite to pleasant 
strolls a congenial group of young people would enjoy a 
" Progressive Age " party. Five hostesses open their 
homes to the guests, and each home is decorated to repre- 
sent a different age. When the guests are welcomed at 
the first home they are ushered into a dining-room arranged 
to represent " Childhood." Little chairs are drawn up 
around a low table, and a white-aproned nurse is in readi- 
ness to serve the " Nursery " refreshments, which consist 
of soup served in bowls, crackers and bread and butter. 
Bibs are provided, it is explained, lest the little guests soil 
their frocks. After the refreshments have been enjoyed 
kindergarten materials may be furnished for amusement, 
and these include clay for modeling, colored paper and 
beads. 

The next house should be reminiscent of schooldays, 
with a number of boards laid across wooden boxes to con- 
stitute benches. The hostess, as " Teacher," has a num- 
ber of tin dinner-pails in readiness, and after all the guests 
have been seated she announces the noon recess and dis- 
tributes the pails. These are found to contain sandwiches 
of various kinds, cookies and pickles. After the luncheon 
jacks and marbles are brought out and the " pupils " enjoy 
these youthful games. 

" Youth " dominates the next home, and the rooms 
should be prettily decorated with boughs and blossoms. 
Since these days have been termed " Salad Days " various 
forms of salads are served by the hostess, after which the 
guests enjoy some guessing contests. 

Middle Age, representing the autumn of life, is person- 



LAWN AND SPORTS PARTIES 231 

ified in the fourth home, where fruits of all kinds are 
served and where the decorations consist of wheat and 
grasses. The entertainment consists of a domestic nature, 
needle-threading, button-sewing, nail-driving and hanging 
handkerchiefs upon a clothesline. 

Old Age is at length reached at a home where the dec- 
orations should be entirely of silver paper, and here the 
guests are received by a hostess in old-time garb, with 
powdered hair. The table is set with silver, coffee is 
served from an old-fashioned urn, and pound cake is 
passed in a silver cake-basket. Old-fashioned peppermint 
and wintergreen lozenges are served also, and after these 
refreshments are enjoyed checkers and dominoes are 
played. 

Let's a-Berrying Go 

Is it "berry" time in your part of the country? I am 
sure it is where some of you are. This unique little party 
was given at a suburban home one afternoon. When the 
young people had gathered on the porch the hostess an- 
nounced that an auction of luncheon boxes was to be held. 
She selected one of the young men as auctioneer. On a 
table were piled a number of prettily wrapped boxes. 
Each box was covered with a different colored tissue- 
paper, and the hostess explained that the name of one of 
the young women present was written on the cover, and 
that the color of her box was to be her color for the after- 
noon. The young men were to bid for the boxes whose 
color struck their fancy. The bids were to be in the shape 
of pleasures for the young lady — an automobile ride, a 
canoe ride, a trip in a launch, etc., anything which would 
be a fresh-air good time — to be paid the following week. 
The bidding for each box was to last two minutes. Only 
the auctioneer held a watch, and the bid which came ex- 



232 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

actly at the end of two minutes won the box. This caused 
fun and friendly disputes. Sometimes the young men 
would keep silent until they judged the two minutes were 
passed and then all would roar out bids at once. All the 
young men and women were ignorant of the contents of 
the boxes, and the auctioneer had opportunity for wit in 
" crying up " his wares. When opened each box, instead 
of the sandwiches, cake, etc., of the usual lunch, was found 
to contain two bright little tin pails and a card bearing the 
words: "Take the gravel path around the house to the 
berry patch." Hurrying to follow directions the young 
couples found the bushes loaded with luscious, ripe, red 
raspberries. Each bush bore a streamer of some color 
and a sunbonnet and a huge straw hat for the couple 
whose box color corresponded. Here they set eagerly to 
work, after reading the card on the bush: "When pails 
are full proceed to the pump." There was a great rush to 
see which couple would find the pump first. There a sign 
read: "Carefully wash berries and come to luncheon." 
Luncheon was found under a shady tree. Here the host- 
ess sat at a table with a chafing-dish of creamed chicken 
and a pot of steaming coffee. Hot biscuits were brought 
from the oven. The freshly washed berries were emp- 
tied into a big punch-bowl, and then served with rich 
cream. Cushions and camp stools formed the seats. Aft- 
erward a number of berry boxes were given out and great 
fun was had making the lanterns from these to decorate 
the porch in the evening. Another feature which filled up 
the time pleasantly was the hunting of fortunes. Candy 
kisses were passed, and around each one was wrapped a 
paper reading, " Your fortune is under the parlor win- 
dow," or, " Your fortune is on the back steps," etc. 

The lanterns were made of the ordinary pint or quart 
splint berry baskets. One basket forms the base. Four 



LAWN AND SPORTS PARTIES 233 

more form the sides, each fastened by means of picture 
wire to the four respective top edges of the bottom basket. 
These are tilted upward and fastened at the four corners 
in the same manner. The openings face inward. One 
more basket at the top completes the lantern. This is fast- 
ened at only two corners that it may serve as a lid to open 
and close in replacing the burnt-out candles. The candles 
are put in with candleholders or by the primitive method 
of melted wax. The lanterns are hung up by the ever- 
ready wire. When you see for the first time a porch and 
lawn so lighted up you will hardly realize that so charming 
an effect and so mellow a light may really be produced 
by berry baskets, 

A Fisherman's-Luck Dinner 

Here is an affair which the gentlemen will enjoy. The 
menu, of course, should be a " shore dinner " arranged at 
the convenience of the hostess from the different kinds of 
fish and shellfish available from near-by sea or stream, or 
from her local market. The ices or seaweed jellies should 
be served in paper boats. 

The centerpiece should be a huge pan, lengthwise of the 
table, filled with real water. Real gold-fish and water 
lilies will make the merry fishermen think of past sports. 
The sides of the pan should be hidden by banks of moss. 
Clumps of real violets should grow very naturally along 
the banks of the stream. A tiny fishing pole at each place 
may have its ribbon line cleverly hidden among the flow- 
ers. The lines should be drawn and clever " sells " be 
attached to each "pinhook." The favors might be tiny 
leather boxes of different kinds of hooks. 

For the place-cards paste a four-leaf clover to each 
plain white card, and, with water-colors, paint a string 



234 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

of fish hanging from the stem. Fasten each card to a 
toy fishing pole with a bent-pin hook at the end of a short 
line. 

The Aquatic Wedding 

A game that will be enjoyed after this dinner is that of 
the " Aquatic Wedding." 

There was once a pretty girl named — i — who was de- 
voted to athletics. She would — 2 — on a fence for hours 
to watch a ball game, and loved to — 3 — through the mud 
on a wet day. Her — 4 — were like iron and whatever 
she did was done with heart and — 5 — . She could 

— 6 — with the greatest grace, as swiftly as if she were 

— 7— • 

A young man of her acquaintance determined to win her 
for his wife even though his friends most unjustly said 
that she had a — 8 — bed disposition. But he was 
charmed by the sweet — 9 — of her voice and the — 10 — 
of her hair. 

One pleasant evening they strolled together down the 

— II »— while the evening — 12 — shone above them. 
Summoning his courage he asked the important question 
and was overjoyed to receive an affirmative answer. The 
following day he bought — 13 — , and in a short time the 
wedding took place. At the wedding supper delicious 

— 14 — was served and wedding cake, which was cut by 
the bridegroom's — 15 — . The happy couple then left for 
an extended tour around the — 16 — . 

1. Ann-chovy 5. sole 9. sound 13. herring 

2. perch 6. skate 10. gold 14. jelly 

3. flounder 7. flying 11. pike 15. sword 

4. mussels 8. crab 12. star 16. globe 



LAWN AND SPORTS PARTIES 235 

A Novel Fishing Party 

For an invitation to a party of this kind the following 
verse may be used : 

First we'll fish and take a bite, 
Then we'll bite and take a fish. 

Nibbles there are sure to be 
In any way you wish. 

Decorate your rooms with fish nets, oars, or anything 
you may have along this line ; or you might cut sea weed 
from green paper. Make little booklets of green card- 
board, writing on the outside the words : " The Complete 
Angler." On the inside paste the following guessing 
game, written so that it will fit into the booklet. 

THE FISH-GUESSING GAME 

1. What fish belong properly to the millionaire? Gold and 

silver. 

2. What fish is an instrument of winter sport? Skate. 

3. What fish would shine among their fellows? Star and 

Sunfish. 

4. What fish would conquer in a wrestling match? Mussel? 

5. What fish would conquer in a duel of olden times? 

Swordfish. 

6. What fish would be useful in a lumber yard? Sawfish. 

7. What fish has the name of a Dickens character? Cuttle. 

8. What fish is found in every bird cage? Perch. 

9. What fish is given to melancholy? Bluefish. 

10. What fish is a cape on the New England coast? Cod. 

11. What fish would never win in an argument? Flounder. 

12. What fish has a name meaning to whip and complain? 

Whale. 

13. What fish is always finding fault? Carp. 

14. What fish doesn't need to swim? Flying fish. 

15. What fish might be used in the navy? Torpedo. 



236 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

1 6. What fish is also a road? Pike. 

17. What fish was discarded because it — ? Smelt. 

18. What fish is part of a shoe? Sole. 

It would be a pretty idea to have a fish pond and allow 
the guests to fish, not for articles, but for flowers — but- 
tonhole bouquets for the gentlemen and larger bunches of 
flowers for the ladies. 

HOOKING PARTNERS 

Then, for the securing of partners, stretch a curtain 
across a doorway and allow the gentlemen to throw 
over a fishing line, each taking for his partner the lady 
among the group on the other side of the curtain whom the 
line happens to strike. Or, you could have a number of 
fishing lines with hooks on one end and the other end 
fastened to an ordinary skewer. Give the hooks to the 
ladies, twist the lines together and give the sticks to the 
gentlemen. Then, each gentleman winds up the line on 
the stick until he gets to the lady who has the hook. 

For refreshments serve salmon sandwiches, potato salad, 
coffee and salted nuts. 

In the way of entertainment, after refreshments, it 
would be amusing to have each one of the guests tell a 
fish story. You might provide yourself with several of 
these beforehand and distribute them to the gentlemen if 
they have not one of their own ready. Readings from 
Henry Van Dyke's " Fisherman's Luck " and " Little Riv- 
ers " would be interesting. 

A Vegetable Party 

Now, if one should like to be very much up-to-date and 
give a party de luxe, the proper thing to do is to give a 



LAWN AND SPORTS PARTIES 237 

" Vegetable Party." Let me pass on to you a novel invi- 
tation to such a party. It comes from Idaho, and I am 
going to let the friend who wrote to me about it tell it in 
her own words : 

Mary, Mary, quite contrary, 

How does your garden grow? 
I've big tomatoes and little potatoes, 

And onions all in a row. 

Mary Hastings. 
Please come on the seven o'clock trolley. 

" When I found that little invitation in the mail I knew 
there would be a hayrack waiting for us at the end of the 
trolley ride. I knew we'd have a jolly time, and, most of 
all, I knew Mary would have ' something different.' 
When we arrived Mary demanded our immediate partici- 
pation in a ' vegetable hop,' which meant — oh, horrors ! 
— that we should hop around the lawn on one foot and 
gather up the vegetables that she had scattered. 

"This is the table of points: Cabbage, 10; potato, 7; 
onion, 6 ; beet, 5 ; turnip, 3 ; carrot, 2. A player forfeited 
five points for putting down his other foot. I made a fine 
collection and won my first prize at a party — a little pic- 
ture of a goose standing on one leg. 

" Next two buckets of vegetables were set before us, one 
for the boys and one for the girls. We shut our eyes and 
grabbed, and then set out to find a companion vegetable and 
a supper partner. Of course there was but one specimen 
of each variety in each pail. 

" Mary served the cutest, brownest ' potatoes ' you ever 
saw, which were really peaches which had been peeled, 
the pits removed, the fruit stuffed with a nut filling and 
rolled in cocoa. A big pan of cookies disappeared with 



238 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

the 'potatoes/ and just before leaving we were blind- 
folded by turn and each was given a potato to throw at 
a big paper cabbage hanging in the porch. When the 
cabbage was broken, out tumbled sacks of candy beans. 
After that we had to ' beet it ' for the car." 

For such a party the hostess might arrange many menu 
combinations of vegetables — in salads, au gratin, and 
even in desserts. Did you ever happen, for instance, to 
eat a delicious New England squash pie? 

The following game is especially appropriate: 

" THE VEGETABLE COURTSHIP " 

She had a (i) nose and rosy lips, 
Her hair was of (2) hue; 
Her cheek and brow were white and fair, 
And her eyes were (3) flower blue. 

"Come, (4) wed," the gay youth said; 

"My adoration can't be (s)." 

" I'll go (6) get consent," 

She answered him in accents sweet. 

"Here you may (7), (8) fast I will"; 
She went pell (9) the run; 
Her Ma, who met her at the door, 
Said the (10) she should shun. 

Her father dear, a wise old (11). 
Said he would not (12) all. 
If his lovely daughter he should wed, 
Were his (13) not so small. 

How to win her hand he had no (14), 
(15) ed with his load of doubt. 
"We (16)," reflected he, 
"Lest our secret plans (17) out." • 



LAWN AND SPORTS PARTIES 239 

1. Turn-up (Turnip) 10. Cabbage Head 

2. Reddish (Radish) 11. Sage 

3- Corn 12. Care at (Carrot) 

4. Lettuce 13. Salary (Celery) 

5- Beet 14. Cue 

6. Tomato 15. Cumber (Cucumber) 

7- Sit 16. Cantaloupe 

8. Run (Citron) 17. Leek 

9. Melon 

A Rose Picnic 
The girl who has a rose garden can arrange a most 
charming " Rose Picnic " for her friends. On a rose-dec- 
orated card write: 

To a Rose Picnic you are invited ; now come, and I will be 
delighted. Don't stay away, for if it pours we'll surely have 
our fun indoors. 

Give each two of your guests flowers alike. 

Here are several things to do : First, a rose race. Two 
dozen paper roses are provided, also two tapemeasures. 
The roses are each fastened to a skewer, and must be 
planted three feet apart, twelve in each row, measuring 
the distance with the tapeline. The racers go in twos 
and the successful ones race together, a prize of a dozen 
roses rewarding the winners. 

On a small table have a bowl containing one perfect 
blossom each of about a dozen well-known varieties of 
roses: La France, Bride, American Beauty, Duchess, etc. 
Tag each with a number, and invite the guests to write 
the name of each opposite its corresponding number on 
the first page of the blank booklets which have been pre- 
sented to them. 

On another table have several familiar quotations about 
roses, which the guests are expected to couple with the 
names of the authors. 



240 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

On a third table have an immense jar of small cluster- 
ing roses. Guests are bidden to guess the number of 
roses in the jar. 

Prizes are awarded for each contest. A rose bowl, a 
vase, a potted American Beauty and an Oriental rose-jar 
filled with sweet-scented potpourri are suitable. 

Songs about roses are many, and some one might read 
Herrick's " Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May." 

The luncheon may be in picnic boxes for two, tied up in 
paper napkins decorated with the same flower as that with 
which each couple is decorated. These boxes may be hid- 
den if desired. An " American Beauty " sundae would be 
the most appropriate ice to serve. 

Clover Luncheon 

One of the most delightful lawn parties for the enter- 
tainment of a guest is a " Buffet Clover Luncheon." 

The clover has three leaves, you see. 
So come, lunch with my friend and me. 
And share with us " the rule of three." 

This rime may be written " within " the novel invitation 
folder in the form of a three leaf clover, adding the 
words: " To meet Miss Annesley, Tuesday, July fifteenth, 
one o'clock. Mrs. Franklin Penn." The unusual form of 
the invitations will arouse the interest of those who 
receive them. 

The hostess should welcome the twenty-four guests 
on her porch and present them to the guest of honor in 
conventional fashion, without any reference to " the rule 
of three " mentioned in the invitations, but as soon as the 
visitors are ushered to the lawn the clover-leaf design 
will become apparent in the arrangement of the chairs. 



LAWN AND SPORTS PARTIES 241 

The graceful and " conversable " curves in which they 
are placed outline a huge clover leaf. The place-card 
attached to each chair may be decorated with a good-luck 
emblem. These emblems cost from fifteen to forty cents 
a dozen. In addition to the name each card bears a con- 
secutive number up to twenty-four. To each chair should 
be fastened also a corsage bouquet of the long-stemmed 
red clover with asparagus fern. 

The waitress first serves the hostess, who sits at the 
end of the stem of the clover leaf, and then all guests in 
turn on the left until the circuit of the clover leaf is 
completed. The luncheon should be served in three or 
four — for luck — courses, their number emphasizing the 
thought of the clover leaf. At the end of each course 
every third guest is asked to move forward three seats, 
and thus each guest will have at least one new neighbor 
for every course. As the multiples of three are followed 
this can be done without confusion. Number 3 takes the 
seat left vacant by Number 6, while Number 6 in turn 
takes that of Number 9, and so on until Number 24 is 
reached, who takes the place Number 3 had first occupied. 

The guest of honor may be Number 3, and by this ar- 
rangement opportunities for conversation with her will be 
enjoyed by Numbers 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 10, while all the. 
guests will relish the variety afforded by the progressive 
feature. 

The hostess should retain her position to be within easy 
reach of the serving-room if any emergency should make 
it necessary for her to give directions. 

The clover idea in the menu may be traceable not merely 
in the number of courses — three or four — but also in 
the clover-leaf-shaped sandwiches served with the 
bouillon, and the ice cream in harlequin blocks, showing 
white, green and chocolate, suggesting " the rule of three," 



242 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

and the cakes made in the leaf shape and covered with 
delicate green icing. 

If one wishes, it is good fun to have lucky bags sus- 
pended by threads from the branch of a tree, each con- 
taining some emblem of good luck : a real four-leaf clover, 
a rabbit's foot, a horseshoe, etc. These may be pur- 
chased. Each guest should try to clip one of the bags 
while blindfolded. 



An Outdoor Breakfast 

A Southern hostess who wished to entertain in honor 
of two guests decided to give a porch breakfast — but 
the idea is equally adaptable to a garden — as her porch, 
facing the southwest, was the most pleasant spot where 
she could receive her friends. She decorated the porch 
with vines and foliage from the woods. At the end, 
where they could get just a peep of the early sun, a 
trellis of vines was arranged and here and there among 
the leaves were twined morning-glories. True, these had 
been made, but with great care, and in their leafy sheath 
looked well. The guests were asked to wear white and 
these flowers were the only touch of color. Green rugs 
were on the floor. 

Three tables were placed, each for six guests. A dish 
of maidenhair fern was in the center of each, and the 
number of the table was shown by one, two or three 
morning-glories hidden among the ferns. Number One 
table was the home of the hostess and the two honor 
guests. The other guests drew dainty place-cards orna- 
mented with water-colored morning-glories and tied with 
green ribbon. These cards bore the list of courses, and 
opposite each one was the number of the table at which 



LAWN AND SPORTS PARTIES 243 

the course was to be eaten. The guests moved in groups 
of three, and as there were five courses each trio enjoyed 
one course with the hostess and honor guests. The menu, 
served on white and green china, was as tempting as ice 
and green garnishes could make it. 



CHAPTER XIV 
FRUIT FESTIVALS 

Did you ever go to a Strawberry Festival, a Peach 
Party or a Watermelon Fete, in a town where the festival 
was an annual event as a money-raiser, and find that it 
was "just the same old thing they had last year"? 

The average fruit festival is so limited in its variety 
that it reminds me of that old story credited to one of 
our famous generals who is supposed to have said that he 
knew only two tunes — one was " Yankee Doodle " and 
the other wasn't. I think that is the trouble with our 
old friend the strawberry festival. The berries are served 
only two ways — one is with ice cream and the other 
isn't. And usually it is a plain vanilla ice cream at that, 
when it could just as well have been a rich, creamy, 
homemade strawberry cream with no artificial coloring 
added, but just the beautiful color of the berry juice. It 
is always the extra thought, the trouble and pains that 
one takes to make a thing a success, that win out. Get 
your cookbook and plan for variety. 

In my library I have a book that contains directions for 
using fruits in nine hundred ways. Now, leaving out 
half the fruits, as undesirable or impracticable for us, 
doesn't it seem as if out of the remaining four hundred 
and fifty ways we might have something besides just 
plain ice cream and raw berries? As a fruit festival is 
literally a " feast of fruits," why use only one kind at a 
244 



FRUIT FESTIVALS 245 

time? As a nation we are not fruit lovers, and " Learn to 
Love Fruit " could well be adopted as a slogan in a 
forward march toward better health. 

First select the most cheery, airy place you can think 
of, decorate it with fresh flowers and branches of trees, 
or, better still, have the whole thing outdoors. Set your 
tables daintily with white cloths. Use napkins decorated 
with strawberries, cherries or flowers. Use pretty dishes. 

The Orchard Fete 

I cannot imagine anything that would give more real 
pleasure to an unspoiled city dweller than to enjoy a 
feast of fruits served from dainty tables under fruit trees 
in an orchard. Can't you see the sunset and hear the 
birds? And then, as the dusk falls, the pretty lanterns 
are lighted and there are music and laughter. 

Indeed it would be nice to plan a cafeteria supper and 
make the festival, with whatever fruit is used, sufficiently 
worth while for a family to come for supper and pass a 
little while in social entertainment afterward. 

For instance, we could have something like this: 

Fruit Cup 

Fruit Soup Fruit Wafers 

Fruit Salad 

Fruit Cake Fruit Ice Fruit Roly-Poly 

Fruit Punches 

Clear Fruit Candies 

Each course could be at a different place — one could 
buy one or all as desired. All these good things are made 
and used every day. Why not specialize on them at the 
fruit festival? 

Now, for instance, to add a little variety, varying the 
idea given below in " Baskets of Gold," why not take a 



246 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

meringue glace shell, lay it on a prettily decorated small 
plate, with a little white lace-paper doily underneath, and 
fill the case with the very largest and prettiest berries you 
have? On top place a lot of well-sweetened, stiffly 
whipped cream, and you have something pretty to look at 
and good to eat. Serve with this dainty wafers. 

And why hasn't strawberry shortcake a place at the 
festival? Either the genuine shortcake, with the berries 
crushed and served hot in their sirup, sweetened, or the 
long-way-from-shortcake variety, which is really sponge 
cake with just raw berries between and meringue on top. 

Cheer Up ! Cherries are Ripe 

Why not plan a Cherry Fete, with aids in Japanese 
costumes? Who would not enjoy a piece of good cherry 
pie? 

A Cherry Blossom Drill could be given by any even 
number of girls in Japanese kimonos. 

Cones filled with fruit ice cream are delicious, and at a 
fair in which I was interested frozen-fruit junket was 
used for this purpose. These sell like the proverbial " hot 
cakes," and are good money-makers, as both cones and 
filling are inexpensive in quantities. The children would 
much rather have them than ice cream alone. 

A variety of unusual cakes may be made, using such 
fillings as quince honey and lemon butter. 

Many persons would prefer the fruit " snows," like 
apple and peach, to ices, especially city visitors who have 
their fill of sundaes and sodas in the city. Delicious 
baked fruit dumplings served with creamed butter and 
sugar sauce are well worth a place at this fruit festival 
also. 

Almost any combinatior of fruits is permissible in a 



FRUIT FESTIVALS 247 

salad, and with a good dressing will not fail to please. 
Serve it with crisp white lettuce leaves in French cake 
baskets, obtainable from caterers at a few cents each. 

Profitable Side Lines 

At a festival given in a town where there are summer 
guests, jars of freshly canned fruits and glasses of jelly 
will sell readily, and orders may be taken for autumn 
delivery. Fruit butters are not so well known as they 
might be, and these might be sold, " tasters " being pro- 
vided on crackers. Charge so much for a recipe, or so 
much for a glass of the delicious compound. 

If the weather is warm, everyone will be thirsty, and 
one can't pass by a nice, cool-looking table with a large 
bowl of fruit punch without stopping to buy, especially if 
there is plenty of fruit floating on top and those who have 
bought can say it is sweet and cold. Any combination 
of mellow and tart fruits may be used. 

Don't forget the homemade candies and fruit-and-candy 
novelties. Try taking some of the prettiest cherries, 
pitting them and filling the centers with fondant. Then, 
too, you can take the most beautiful of the strawberries 
and hold them by the stems, or cherries by their stems, 
while you dip them in liquid pink fondant. When cool 
they are delicious. Any of the fruits may be candied and 
attractively arranged in boxes lined with paraffin paper. 

I heard the other day that someone had facetiously 
remarked that a certain very pretty gray stone church 
had been built on chocolate cake. The ladies had so 
many cake sales that had turned into cold cash, which 
had later turned into stone, that it was difficult to dis- 
associate them. 

These fruit festivals could easily be made monthly 



248 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

affairs, starting in June with berries, following in July 
with cherries, peaches in August, and the ever-popular 
watermelon in September. 

In many remote localities where city vacationists like 
to gather, there is no place to buy ice cream, and a 
fruit-ice-cream festival one evening a week or on Satur- 
day afternoons could easily be managed at a profit, es- 
pecially if the ice cream and cakes are of the good, rich, 
homemade variety. 

Entertainment Suggestions 

For the social part arrange group amusements. Using 
small dishes or pill boxes, prepare a collection of seeds 
of various kinds, such as those of melon, cantaloupe, 
grapefruit, orange, lemon, etc. Cereals may also be in- 
cluded in the collection, as barley, oats, or sago, etc. 
Provide each guest with paper and pencil, the object of 
the contest being to name correctly the various seeds. 
A prize of a bonbon box in the form of some fruit should 
reward the successful contestant. Have also seed-count- 
ing and weight-guessing contests with suitable humorous 
prizes. 

Each couple may be given a tally card with a pencil 
attached and numbers from one to sixteen on the back. 
Upon a table on the lawn small leafless branches may be 
placed, cut from sixteen kinds of trees. Attach small tags 
and number them up to sixteen. A prize may be awarded 
to the couple guessing the greatest number of trees cor- 
rectly. Comparatively few persons know woods. 

Almost equally hard is leaf guessing. For this contest 
procure as many varieties of leaves as possible, press and 
mount them on matboard, and award a prize to the one 
who correctly names the greatest number. 



FRUIT FESTIVALS 249 



Watermelon F^te 

■ When it comes time for a Watermelon Fete the tables 
will look pretty if they have centerpieces of halves of 
watermelons, hollowed out, and filled with old-fashioned 
garden pinks. In the way of entertainment, talking- 
machine records like the xylophone rendition of the 
" Watermelon Club March," Plantation Melodies and 
Medleys, and the recitations mentioned below will all be 
immensely enjoyed. 

There are several interesting and amusing recitations 
and readings that will help to entertain the guests, if you 
have among your helpers a young lady who can recite 
well: 

" Brudder Brown on * Apples,' " a prose recitation, is a 
very funny one wherein mankind and womankind are 
likened to different varieties of apples. 

" The Three Cherry Stones " is thrilling but not 
humorous. 

But what can compare to James Whitcomb Riley's 
" Wortermelon Time " : 

I joy in my heart just to hear that rippin' sound 

When you split one dc.vn the back and jolt the halves in two? 

If given outdoors the entertainment of the children may 
be taken care of by someone who can lead in such jolly 
games as " Farmer in the Dell " and " Mulberry Bush." 



Fruit-Serving Suggestions 

Cantaloupe slices may be served this way: Cut the 
cantaloupe as you would a loaf of bread. Fill the center 
with mint ice cream. A few mint leaves laid around the 
circle would add to the attractiveness of the dish. 



250 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Cantaloupe a la Mode is pleasing. Select a small can- 
taloupe, cut in halves and fill each half with ice cream. 
Old-fashioned lemon ice cream is exceptionally good for 
this purpose. 

Watermelon cones are formed by twisting a tablespoon 
around in the heart of the melon. Fill a long platter with 
cracked ice laid on grape leaves, and nestle the melon 
cones in the ice. Some add a bit of lemon juice. 

Cherry Gelatin, chilled, with ripe red cherries on top, 
molded in a grapefruit or an orange shell and served 
wi-th whipped cream, is always refreshing, and so is lemon 
ice served in halves of grapefruit after the core is taken 
out. 

Baskets of Gold was the name given to meringue shells 
when filled with golden slices of ripe peaches, with soft 
powdered sugar over them. They are very satisfying as 
fruit desserts with cream sponge cake. 

Molded Fruits 

In a pale yellow lemon gelatin mold red raspberries 
and peeled halves of grapes. Unmold on a dainty plate, 
and decorate with rose leaves and fresh berries. This 
will be a substantial dessert for the fruit feast. Pine- 
apple and raspberries make a good combination. 

A Watermelon Party 

Invitations for a watermelon party may be sent on cards 
cut from pink cardboard in the shape of a quarter of a 
melon, outlining the lower edge with green crayon to rep- 
resent the rind, and sketching a few seeds in black 
crayon. The following rime could appropriately be 
used: 



FRUIT FESTIVALS 251 

The happy days of summer bring 
Ripe melons fit for any king; 
So don't you think it would be nice 
To come around and have a slice ? 

The " Melon Vine " may be the first contest. Make the 
vine from a long strip of green cambric cut bias, knotting 
and tangling it, and winding it about the room or piazza 
in cobweb style. At intervals tie upon the " vine " ovals 
of green cardboard to represent miniature melons, writing 
upon each the name of some " stunt." Let each couple in 
turn untangle the vine until a " melon " is reached, and 
then entertain the guests with the stunt required. If pre- 
ferred the " melons " may be omitted from the vine, and 
each couple given three minutes to untangle as much as 
possible. At the expiration of this time the length un- 
tangled is cut off and measured. The couple untangling 
the greatest length receive as a prize a box of pink and 
green bonbons. 

An amusing trick consists in placing a watermelon seed 
upon the forehead of one of the guests, and requesting 
him to endeavor to shake it off. This to him seems, after 
frequent shakings, impossible, but the secret lies in press- 
ing the seed very firmly upon the forehead and removing 
it quickly, the pressure giving the sensation that the seed 
still remains. 

This may be followed by a " Melon Seed Contest." 
Give each guest a small bag made from pink or green 
cheesecloth and containing twelve melon seeds. The 
guests may then go about, questioning each other on any 
topic desired, but whoever replies to a question by " Yes " 
or " No " forfeits a melon seed to his or her interrogator. 
At the expiration of twenty minutes the guest having the 
most melon seeds in his or her possession receives as a 
prize a bonbon box in the form of a melon. 



2S2 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

A novel cakewalk might be used for the next contest. 
Provide a number of cakes of soap, each cake being 
slightly moistened so that it will be slippery. Give each 
guest a cake of soap and a knife, the object of the con- 
test being to walk rapidly a given distance carrying the 
cake of soap on the knife blade. A box of perfumed soap 
should reward the guest who wins this contest. 

A watermelon party in midsummer provides a good 
chance for pretty table decorations. A new style of fringe 
for candle-shades is made by threading the seeds of a 
melon on silk cord which is then looped around the bottom 
of the shade, one seed hanging from the fold of each loop. 

Half a watermelon may serve as the centerpiece for the 
table, the melon being cut across transversely in points. 
Fasten a pickaninny doll upon each point, the dolls being 
given as favors later. 

An unusually nice way to serve watermelon is to have 
the pulp removed from the whole melon, which has first 
been cut in halves, and replaced on cracked ice in half of 
the rind arranged bowl fashion. Cone-shaped portions 
may then be served individually in sundae-glasses, or, cut 
in cubes, in sherbet-cups. 



CHAPTER XV 

FROLICS IN WOOD AND BY STREAM 

A Surprise Boat Trip 

This was the pleasure awaiting a crowd of girls invited 
by their hostess to meet at the boat landing at three p. m. 
An electric launch, accommodating the party of twenty, 
awaited their arrival. Soon they were moving up the 
river on a " voyage of discovery," as was announced by 
their hostess. A half-hour's ride brought them to a beau- 
tiful grove, where they landed, and search parties were 
sent out in different directions. 

In a short time triumphant cries were heard over the 
discovery of large watermelons found hidden in secluded 
spots. (A boat with supplies had been sent up the river 
ahead of the party.) After justice had been done to the 
melons the girls boarded the launch and were carried up 
stream until again landed and told to raid the country. 

Then the enthusiasm of the moment sent every one forth 
to discover this time ears of corn. These were loaded 
into the boat, and the party again set forth toward other 
lands, in search of whatever they might find. The next 
time it was fruit, hanging from the branches of the trees 
in the most unsuspected places. The last " voyage " 
brought them to land just about sunset. They did not 
have to search long before many parcels were found, 
containing ham, bacon, beefsteak, sandwiches and marsh- 
mallows, which, with the corn for the corn roast and 
253 



254 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

the fruit, provided a substantial supper. Further search 
brought them to a pile of wood for a bonfire, just waiting 
to have the match put to it; also long sharpened sticks 
were found. 

It was not long before the girls were sitting around a 
roaring fire, cooking their meat, Indian fashion, and 
making coffee, picnic style; and, last of all, toasting 
marshmallows and telling stories as they watched the fire 
die out. The trip down the river by moonlight was not 
the least of the afternoon's enjoyment. 

When It's Moonlight on the Water 

Some girl may be puzzled as to what kind of party to 
have for a visitor, and I can assure her this most success- 
ful boating party, given in honor of a visitor, would be 
delightful. Seven o'clock was the hour named in the in- 
vitations, and that hour found all of the guests at the 
wharf. 

A covered barge was used on this occasion and was 
towed by a yacht. It was prettily decorated wit-h ferns, 
palms, etc. Comfortable chairs were placed around the 
outer edge and a " talking machine " in the center fur- 
nished the music. The party went up the river to a town 
ten miles away, where they landed and went to the 
" movies." When they got aboard the barge again a beau- 
tiful sight met their eyes: Small tables had been attrac- 
tively arranged for refreshments and they found their 
seats by place-cards in the shape of tiny boats. The can- 
dlelight and moonlight made everything fairy-like. 

A Campfire on the Hills 

Some new girls had come to the little town to live; 
the older girls planned a new way to get acquainted. 



FROLICS IN WOOD AND BY STREAM 255 

They sent each new girl an invitation to meet them in 
the Court House yard at six o'clock a week hence. Every 
one came, and before starting on the tramp each new girl 
told her name, where she came from and what she was 
going to do. Then each was given as many peanuts as 
there were girls, and on the way to the hill each would 
stop and ask some other girl to give the names of all the 
rest, which was very amusing, for the girl accosted would 
mix the names and sometimes give entirely new ones ; and 
for every name wrong the forfeit of a peanut was paid. 
When they reached the hill those who had to forfeit pea- 
nuts gave a " stunt " to correspond with the number of 
peanuts they had lost. One girl lost five, and she rolled 
five yards down hill; another three, and she jumped over 
a three-rail fence; one girl lost just one of her peanuts, 
and she sang the song, "Just One Girl." Several other 
" stunts " were performed, then the girls made the fire, 
and each roasted a piece of a young chicken. Stuffed 
eggs, nutbread sandwiches and coffee were provided also. 
Then the girls sang old songs until time to return home, 
all declaring they were better acquainted than if they had 
made a dozen formal calls. 

For games around the campfire did you ever try get- 
ting a company to mention as many names as they can 
think of — either given names or surnames — by topics ? 
For instance: 

" What names suggest occupations ? " These include 
Miller, Farmer, Tanner, Goldsmith, Mason, Weaver, Cook, 
Dean, Smith, Carpenter, Taylor, Cooper, Butler, Preacher, 
Sheppard, Crook, Baker, Painter, Bishop, etc. 

" What names are colors ? " White, Black, Green, 
Brown, Gray, Pink, Violet, Rose, Lavender, Pearl, Pea- 
cock, etc. 

" What names are flowers, grains, shrubs, etc. ? " Hay, 



256 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Melon, Corn, Lily, Rose, Daisy, Cotton, Marguerite, Vio- 
let, Pink, Wheat, Rice, Oats, Berry, Turnip, Seed, etc. 

" What names are parts of the body ? " Hand, Thumb 
(Tom), Legge, Foote, Ball, Hips, Hair, Bridges (of 
noses), Hart, Blood, Lung (Chinese), Iris, Cheek, etc. 

"What names are parts of a house?" Stone, Wall, 
Hall, Kitchin, Woodhouse, Key, Locke, Beam, Storey, 
Garrett. 

" What names suggest geographical formations ? " 
Rivers, Stone, Glenn, Dale, Beach, Hill, Valley, Brooks, 
Lake, Boggs, Cave, Seay. 

" "^Vhat names are suggestive of amounts or measures ? " 
Mutch, Little, Small, Few, Peck, Foote, Miles. 

" What names are birds ? " Parrot, Wren, Jay, Spar- 
row^, Robin, Titmouse, Drake, Duck, Partridge, Crow^, 
Dove, Hawk, etc. 

All names mentioned here are familiar in a certain 
locality. Others equally unusual would be well known 
elsewhere. 

The Stone Game is a good one for a crowd idling on 
the shore : 

Guess the name of the stone at the top of the arch — Key, 
The stone that is full of small holes — • Pumice. 
The stone that will sharpen a sickle or scythe — Whet. 
The stone that points straight to the poles — Load. 
The stone that is green and is sprinkled with red — Blood. 
The stone that by footsteps is pressed — Flag. 
The stone that is used as a test — Touch. 
The stone that gives words that are sweet to the ear — Blar- 
ney. 
The stone that falls down from the skies — Hail. 
The stone that is laid with a speech or a song — Corner. 
The stone often sculptured "Here Lies" — Tomb. 
The stone that is known as a great legal light — Black. 
The stone that is good for cold feet — Soap. 



FROLICS IN WOOD AND BY STREAM 257 

The stone of a fruit that is round and is small — Cherry, 
The stone of a roughly paved street — Cobble. 



In the Alphabet Game it will be necessary for one of 
the party to be close enough to the firelight to read from 
a memorandum card. When he calls out the subject it 
must be answered correctly by a word or sentence begin- 
ning with the letter which has been chosen for use 
throughout the complete list of questions. Suppose " C " 
is the letter chosen ; the leader will say : " Beginning with 
C, name (i) an American city; (2) a foreign city; (3) an 
American river; (4) a foreign river; (5) a mineral; 

(6) a poet; (7) a poem; (8) a book of fiction; (9) an 
author; (10) a vegetable; (11) a bird; (12) a fish; (13) 
a writer of fiction; (14) an animal; (15) an insect; 

(16) a statesman; (17) a governor; (18) an inventor; 
(19) an article of apparel for men; (20) an article of 
apparel for women." 

The game may be participated in by from five to fifty 
persons with much profit, pleasure and interest. 

As illustrative of how the game works out with the 
letter " C " : The answers to the questions given may be 
as follows: (i) Columbus; (2) Constantinople; (3) 
Columbia; (4) Congo; (5) Copper; (6) Coleridge; 

(7) Charge of the Light Brigade; (8) Crossing; (9) 
Carlyle; (10) Cabbage; (11) Canary; (12) Cod; (13) 
Churchill; (14) Cow; (15) Centipede; (16) Clark; 

(17) Cruce; (18) Curtiss; (19) Cap; (20) Cape. 

A Campfire " Spell Down " was one of the interesting 
" stunts " a lively crowd gathered around the nightly bon- 
fire on the beach did one summer to amuse themselves. A 
circle was formed around the fire and the person who 
proposed the game was the first to spell. Each was re- 
quired to spell in turn a word without the letter " i " in 



258 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

it, not to exceed six letters nor to contain fewer than 
three. The spelling had to be done promptly and any one 
hesitating or failing to respond quickly was declared out 
of the game by the umpire. This official was the first 
who, in the popular opinion of the circle, had failed. 

As a penalty the first six to be dropped out were obliged 
to provide some sort of an entertainment for the crowd 
the next evening. The two remaining in the circle the 
longest were winners and deserving of much praise and 
honor, and, as recognition, were presented little blue rib- 
bon bows, which, when worn, signified that they were 
immune from the usual camp bugbear : dishwashing. 

The Ghost Game 

If you have not already tried it the game of " Ghosts " 
gives a thrilling suggestion of the mysterious and proves 
a good campfire amusement, especially for those who are 
looking on. Any number of players can take part. The 
play is more effective if each participant is draped in a 
sheet pinned loosely about the shoulders over all the other 
garments. 

Only two should " be in the secret " of the denouement, 
one of these being placed at the head and the other at 
about the middle of the line of players. Each player 
stands erect with arms hung loosely at the sides. There 
must be sufficient light from the fire for the players to 
follow the movements of the leader. Weird shadows are 
much more uncanny than darkness and add to the fun of 
the lively outdoor games. 

The leader at the head of the line of standing girls then 
says slowly and in a voice as nearly " hollow and sepul- 
chral " as possible, " I saw a ghost and it went this way," 



FROLICS IN WOOD AND BY STREAM 259 

extending the left arm (the draped sheets count effectively 
here), and each one does the same. 

The third time the leader repeats " I saw a ghost," etc., 
she drops on one knee (both arms now extended), and 
the line does likewise, one by one. The fourth time the 
leader begins the formula she does so with emphasized 
solemnity and slowness, "I — saw — a — ghost — " and 
then adds rapidly, " and it went like this ! " at the same 
time falling over against her neighbor. The whole line, 
balanced as each is on one knee and with arms extended, 
is taken unaware (especially with the aid of the knowing 
one in the middle) and tumbles like a row of ninepins. 
With every sense keyed to expectancy of something super- 
natural the sudden descent to the ridiculous has for the 
moment all the terrifying effects of an assaulting ghost. 

Our Camp Supper Club 

Some of the young people of a church in a country town 
formed a Camp Supper Club, its only aim to be a good 
time for everybody during the summer. It is so success- 
ful that it can be recommended to provide wholesome en- 
tertainment for all ages, with little energy spent in 
preparation. 

Meetings are held once every full moon in some pretty 
meadow or woods, beginning as soon as the weather is 
suitable in the spring. A list of names was compiled, 
including everyone who was interested and congenial, 
regardless of age. 

There are no officers, constitution or set form. Just a 
capable chairman is selected for each separate supper, who 
chooses her own committee of assistants. Extreme sim- 
plicity is the rule and a purely business basis was reached 



26o THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

in providing the supper. The committee buys the food 
in bulk, prepares and servesi it, and the expense is divided 
pro rata among those attending. 

Everyone brings his or her own dishes, usually con- 
sisting of one tin plate, one knife, one fork, one tin spoon 
and one tin cup. A menu is arranged and the evening 
decided on — to be changed if v^eather is unsuitable. 
Everyone on the list is notified of the plans by telephone 
and acceptances must all be in the evening before. 

The club owns two large frying pans, three big enamel 
spoons and a large coffee pot, and these answer all re- 
quirements in the cooking line. 

Someone with an automobile helps to transport the 
goods, and by five o'clock of the appointed evening the 
supper committee is at work. The boys on duty go for 
water and look after the fire. If an entertainment com- 
mittee has been appointed quoits and baseball and other 
games are started, but supper is the main feature. 

After supper comes the reckoning. Noses are counted, 
the cost of supper computed, and a hat is passed for col- 
lection of dues. The chairman appoints someone to have 
charge of the next supper, and to her are passed the club 
cooking utensils, any balance in the treasury and the 
record book. 

As darkness falls a campfire is started. Singing is 
always enjoyed, and sometimes a mandolin or a guitar 
provides further pleasure. On a very pleasant evening 
the number has run as high as seventy. 

The suppers have been surprisingly varied considering 
the primitive cooking methods. One committee served 
corn fritters, another corn on the cob. Iced tea is used 
in hot weather and coffee in spring and autumn. 

This is a favorite October supper that can be served 
for a moderate sum: 



FROLICS IN WOOD AND BY STREAM 261 

Cofifee 

Hamburg Steak with Brown Gravy Fried Sweet Potatoes 

Breadsticks 

Grapes Crullers 

On a hot Julj^ evening this was given: 

Iced Tea 

Creamed Lamb 

Cold Tomatoes with Dressing. Rolls and Butter 

Watermelon 

As far as possible the food is prepared at home before- 
hand. 

In order to continue the gatherings during the winter 
months several hospitable persons blessed with roomy- 
homes and old-fashioned fireplaces have invited the club 
to enjoy them. The supper will be cooked on the kitchen 
stove but will be conducted as nearly as possible in the 
outdoor manner. 

Such jolly times as those around the campfires you've 
never seen, I venture ! Don't you remember one or two 
that you can't forget? I do. And I've heard about some 
other good ones. Here are a few of them. 

First there was one in Texas, which is an ideal State 
for outdoor life. The first thing the campers did was to 
organize themselves very informally into a " Good-Times 
Band," with one officer only — a Master of Ceremonies. 
Two standing committees were appointed: a "Spon- 
dulicks " Committee to receive funds for the various 
frolics ; and a " Go-Get-'Em " Committee to see that no 
one was forgotten when the festivities were on. Their 
favorite way was to have a Fagot Party. The men pre- 
pared the campfire, and it was lighted as soon as the sun 
disappeared. The coolness of the night air made its warm 



262 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

glow most inviting. Each one bidden brought boughs, 
branches and fagots to feed the flames. 

When everything was in readiness the guests joined 
hands, and, encircling the fire, they sang the following 
lines composed for the occasion and sung to the tune of 
" We're Tenting Tonight on the Old Camp Ground " : 

" We're stunting tonight on the old camp ground, 

Each one a stunt will do : 
No one will refuse to stunt his stunt, 

As soon as he gets his cue. 
Many are the stunts we are stunting tonight; 

Stunts that ne'er were stunted before : 
Every one will stunt while the campfires roar, 

We'll stunt till the party's o'er. 

Chorus : 

" Stunting tonight, stunting tonight, 

Stunting on the old camp ground." 

As each one in turn threw a fagot on the fire the Master 
of Ceremonies called for a " stunt." No one was excused 
upon any pretext whatsoever, but must needs do some- 
thing for the entertainment of the others. Stories were 
told, songs sung, physical culture movements gone 
through, handsprings turned, bird notes imitated, calls of 
the wild given, jigs danced, poems recited and pantomime 
performances given. When all had performed they were 
given sandwiches, which they were counted to have 
earned. 

One interesting feature of the Fagot Party was to note 
the different colored flames and varieties of smoke at- 
tributable to the various kinds of wood thrown on the 
fire; cypress, live oak, pecan and mesquit all showing 
marked points of difference to the careful observer. 

Sometimes the Fagot Party was turned into a Guess 



FROLICS IN WOOD AND BY STREAM 263 

What Party. Then each one brought something mys- 
teriously tied up in a package to consign to the flames, and 
the rest had to guess what it was. One lady brought her 
large sunhat tied up in newspaper. An accident had 
marred it, and as the flames enwrapped it the others 
thought it was a peach-basket and lost their guesses. 
Another brought canvas sandals that river wading had 
put out of business. Considerable thought was given to 
doing up a bundle that would puzzle the crowd. The 
Guess What Parties were always very amusing. If the 
flames did not reveal the contents, as they sometimes did 
not, the owner would not tell, and the next one would 
guess. There was nothing in camp to buy for prizes, so 
they put the successful guesser on a little eminence, and 
the rest of them passed along and did obeisance in as 
overdrawn a way as possible. 

When the fire burned low they sought their tents, sing- 
ing as they went : 

" Good-night, Campers, good-night Campers, 
Good-night, Campers, we're going to leave you now ! " 



A Dark-Night Bonfire for Variety 

Every one who plans an outdoor party for a summer 
evening tries to have it come as near the full of the moon 
as possible, so that all the festivities are crowded into the 
few moonlight nights, and in the intervening time there 
is nothing going on. To enliven one of these dull periods 
some of us devised the dark-night bonfire. 

We have learned from long experience that it is best 
to assign a definite part of the luncheon to each person 
when you are providing for a large number, so we sent 
out invitations like this : 



264 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

" There will be a dark-night picnic 

At the beach on Monday night. 
Since the moon is not propitious 

You are asked to bring a light. 
Bug-light, torch or Jack-o'-lantern, 

Pumpkin head or auto light, 
Launch light, either port or starboard, 

Anything as long's it's bright. 
Fastened on to poles securely, 

Planted firmly in the ground. 
They'll create a magic radiance 

To illumine the faces round. 
The procession will start promptly 

From the Town Hall Square at six. 
Please bring drinking-cup and , 

To enhance the luncheon mix." 

The array of lights which we finally assembled in- 
cluded every kind mentioned in the invitation and a few 
more. Some brought large pasteboard boxes with a comic 
face cut in one side, and a tragic one in the other, and a 
large candle for illumination. Two girls brought common 
hand lanterns, but they were disguised with gay paper 
shades outside the wire frames, and two daughters of a 
sea captain brought a large torch, and two " Sticking 
Tommies," with a candle in each, such as are used on ves- 
sels at night while dressing fish. Our call for pumpkin 
heads was a mistake as it was August and too early in the 
year, but two of the boys used watermelons instead. 
They were so heavy we set them up on high boulders, 
whence they grinned serenely upon us. 

Two of the boys, especially commissioned, secured some 
ordinary beanpoles for our use, and a small brother of one 
of the girls furnished an express cart into which we piled 
our provisions, including a pail containing three dozen 



FROLICS IN WOOD AND BY STREAM 265 

ears of sweet corn, a can of cocoa and two cans of con- 
densed milk, and" a large picnic coffee-pot containing fresh 
wa-ter. 

We arrived at the beach before sundown and proceeded 
to build two circular fireplaces of stones. Over one fire 
we boiled the corn, and over the other prepared the cocoa. 
We provided each person with a small flat stone, or a 
shell, with a pat of butter on it, across which the corn 
was rubbed just before eating. It was primitive, but so 
jolly! 

While the cooks were busy the rest of the party planted 
the poles in a circle, securely tying a lantern to each, and 
after supper we lighted the lanterns and sang and told 
progressive stories. Late in the evening we conducted 
quite a picturesque torchlight procession through the 
town, escorting each member home. 

When the Old Pines Bear Gifts 

So many campfires are held in evergreen woods that it 
is very easy to transform one of the trees into a summer 
Christmas Tree. 

The girls in a family of Minnesota campers thought it 
would be fun to have something new for the other tent 
folks. When the guests arrived, by the light of the fire 
they saw a queer shape shrouded in sheets looming up. 
The evergreen they had chosen for their Christmas Tree 
was a small one, and after removing the covering they 
lighted it from top to bottom with candles. After a pretty 
little speech of welcome by the hostess she proceeded to 
hand out presents. There were two for every guest, and 
such fun ! 

The girls were given rag-dolls, and little baskets, made 
of half an orange rind and filled with candies and nuts. 



266 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

The boys had calico neckties, whistles made of reeds, 
and little prize boxes of candy. 

After the resources of the tree had been exhausted 
there was a taffy-pull to wind up the jollities of the 
evening. 

Bacon Bats and Chop Parties 

A group of college boys and girls, who get as much 
fun out of life as there is to be had, have for their 
favorite picnic a " Bacon Bat." 

Among the crowd are the owners of two large machines 
which will hold them all, plus the " eats." So when the 
evening arrives they motor out to some spot away from 
city sights and sounds, and then the fun begins. 

Of course the attraction of attractions is the bonfire 
over which to cook the " eats." As it is a " Bacon Bat " 
it goes without saying there is bacon. And who ever 
heard of bacon without eggs? So there are roasted eggs. 
For those who prefer them there are " hot dogs," and 
with either the accompanying potatoes. To eat with 
these are finger rolls instead of the ever-present sandwich. 

For the rest of the menu everybody brings what he or 
she likes best, and there is always coffee to top off with 
— coffee with cream ! One jolly little girl owns a thermos 
bottle, and she always donates the cream. And marsh- 
mallows that can be served in your coffee if you like 
them, or roasted, or just plain if you would rather. 

After the " eats " are finished they gather around the 
bonfire, and to the accompaniment of mandolins, guitars 
and banjos played by some of the men of the crowd they 
sing till the moon comes up to light them to their homes. 

Each cottager at a Michigan resort possesses a fire- 
place fashioned according to his fancy. During the sum- 
mer nearly everything that can be toasted or roasted is 



FROLICS IN WOOD AND BY STREAM 267 

cooked over these fireplaces, each one planning to have 
something out of the ordinary. One of the most suc- 
cessful evenings was a Chop Party. The trees and bushes 
were hung with Japanese lanterns, while rugs, rustic 
benches and hammocks furnished resting-places. Under 
a tree near the fireplace was a table on which were plat- 
ters of lamb chops, condiments and butter. Long, sharp- 
pointed sticks, or wire pointers, which are a necessary 
part of the outfitting of the fireplace, were provided each 
one. The fire lighted early in the evening burned to a 
bed of glowing coals just right for roasting. Such de- 
licious chops, roasted to a turn! On another table were 
plates of bread which served to handle the hot chops, 
sandwich fashion. Fruit punch and watermelon formed 
the balance of a menu which could only be indulged in 
where a free and easy life in the open deludes one with 
the idea that one has no digestion. They found, too, at 
these parties that an easy way to toast bacon was to hold 
it over the coals in a corn-popper. 

A Fine Conversational Rule 

Our " leader," as we called our hostess, gave each 
of us a stick, a red bandanna handkerchief, and a package 
of plain cookies tied up in paraffin paper. We were to 
tie our cookies up in our bandannas and sling 'them on the 
sticks over our shoulders " tramp fashion." Tin cups 
were then distributed among us, and we were informed 
that we were to follow our leader and pick berries into 
the tin cups. We noticed that our leader carried a basket 
slung over her shoulder. 

After following her for quite two miles along a wind- 
ing and rather hilly road, sometimes picking berries, 
sometimes admiring a magnificent view, we stopped to 



268 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

wait for her to go to a farmhouse and return with a 
pitcher of cream. Then we came to a clearing. This 
was our halting ground, and here our pails of berries were 
inspected, and two silk handkerchiefs of an elaborate 
design purchased at the village store were presented to 
the two members of our party who owned the nicest lot 
of berries. Our leader then set the young men to gather- 
ing sticks. Soon the fire was crackling away, and then 
we visited a brook which ran at the edge of the clearing. 
Our pail of water was soon suspended over the fire on 
two forked branches cut from a tree, and as soon as the 
water boiled our leader dropped in a bag of coffee. We 
then sat down in a circle, opened our bandannas and ate 
our cookies and berries and cream and drank our coffee, 
amidst much laughing and talking. There was just one 
rule to be observed at our feast, and that was this : having 
spoken to one person you could not address that person 
again until you had spoken to every other member of the 
party. This worked well, and instead of the usual three- 
cornered chattering the conversation was general. 

A Good Idea While " On the Way " 

This picnic was given by a hostess to introduce three 
young lady guests to the young people in a small town. 

Each guest was asked to spend " A Day in the Woods " 
with Mrs. X and her friends, and to meet at her home at 
ten o'clock. Twenty young people accepted, and on the 
picnic day twenty- four people were ready for all the good 
times possible. Each guest was given a numbered ticket, 
and when a huge carryall arrived they saw there were 
twenty-four numbers along the sides to correspond with 
their tickets. Each took the seat numbered the same as 
his or her ticket, and soon all were settled, and still all 



FROLICS IN WOOD AND BY STREAM 269 

were wondering why the hostess was so particular. The 
hostess then announced that as their drive would take 
fully an hour they must become acquainted in that time, 
and consequently they would have twenty- four changes 
of seats, and each person, under penalty of forfeit, must 
say at least ten words to his companion, and the subject 
of the weather was tabooed. By the time they arrived at 
their destination all were fairly well acquainted and very 
merry. A shrill whistle in the mouth of the hostess meant 
change, and every one hastened to do so. 

On arriving at the woods they were requested to give 
their attention to a huge poster which gave the program 
for the day's amusement. The first event was a " Back- 
ward Race " and by it partners were determined for the 
next event. The swiftest boy got the slowest girl, and the 
next swiftest the next slowest, and so on. When all were 
coupled off the chaperon informed them that by careful 
seeking they would find hidden stores. Then began a mad 
raid of unwinding the strings, which were wound over 
branche§, under bushes and across the narrow creek. On 
their return to the hostess a huge kettle of boiling coffee, 
fried bacon, eggs and creamed potatoes proved that with 
the sandwiches, olives, pickles, salad, and fruit, found 
by the seekers, the feast would be a most satisfying 
one. 



Surprise Picnic Luncheons 

The picnic which a Kansas mother had for her boy 
and his friends was such fun and so little work that she 
wants to tell how she did it. Having a friend whose 
farm is near a suburban car line permission was obtained 
to have the picnic in his woods. They arrived about 
eleven o'clock and spent an hour or more locating a spring, 



270 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

choosing a luncheon spot, and cutting some willow sticks, 
the use of which the boys could not imagine. Their 
luncheon was to be a surprise, and when the time came the 
mother unpacked twelve pasteboard boxes (such as con- 
tain cereals), giving each boy a box and a granite cup. 
After the cups were filled with clear, cool spring water 
they sat in a circle and each unpacked his own luncheon; 
thus " fly time " was avoided' — that anxious, trying time 
when at most picnics the baskets are being opened and 
the eatables laid out, while the insec-ts gather. On open- 
ing each box the very first thing were two dainty paper 
napkins — one to spread on the grass for a lunch-cloth, 
while the other served as a napkin. Under the napkins 
were the sandwiches — eight in each box — wrapped in 
paraffin paper. There were two of ham, two of chopped 
olives with mayonnaise, two of nuts, one of cheese, and 
one of nut bread buttered. With these were a deviled 
egg and two small pickles wrapped in paraffin paper. Be- 
neath these, carefully wrapped to keep them fresh, were 
two sponge cakes which had been baked in muffin-rings — 
one iced, the other plain. Last of all, in the bottom of the 
box, were an apple, a banana, a package of salted nuts 
and a bag of good candy. After luncheon each boy put 
the papers left from his own luncheon into his box. The 
boxes were then burned. 

Individual boxes possessed the advantage that the boys 
ate the plainer food before even knowing what the dessert 
would be, and they took pleasure in opening each pack- 
age. After luncheon they had a whistle contest, cutting 
the whistle out of the willow sticks, with prizes for the 
best whistle and the whistle with -the prettiest note. Then 
came " a cup race." Each boy filled his cup to the very 
brim with water, and tried to see who could first reach a 
certain goal without spilling any. 



FROLICS IN WOOD AND BY STREAM 271 

Some Laughable " Stunts " 

Bun Race — Two poles are set up at a good distance 
apart, connected with a clothesline, from which are sus- 
pended strings of different lengths^ a bun on the end of 
each string. The boys line up, hands behind their backs, 
and at the signal each boy tries to eat his bun. The con- 
stant moving of the line caused by their efforts makes it 
almost impossible to get a bite. Soon a boy gets the bit in 
his teeth (so to speak), gets his bun on the ground, and, 
with his hands still behind, finishes the bun and gets the 
prize. 

Hunting for Pennies — Gather the children befare a 
large sand box, in which twenty-five pennies have pre- 
viously been buried, and tell them to dig for money. See 
how the sand will fly and how the little hands will burrow, 
while shrieks of delight will be heard as the coins are un- 
earthed, especially if there is a candy staTid on the picnic 
grounds. 

Observation Race — This race is for speed and the use 
of the eyes. Along the course to be sun a certain number 
of articles should be placed. The winner of this race must 
make the distance in as short a time as possible, but he 
must also be able to tell the greatest number of different 
objects he has seen along the way. 

Rainy-Day Race — This race is run by several girls. 
They stand in a line with a closed satchel in front of each 
one, in which is a pair of rubbers, a pair of gloves and an 
umbrella. When " three " is counted they open the 
satchels, take out the rubbers, put them on, take out the 
gloves, put them on, raise their umbrellas, take the satchels 
and walk (not run) about one hundred feet to a line or 
pole raised there. Here they lower the umbrellas, take 
off their gloves and rubbers, put them in the satchels, close 



272 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

them and return, carrying the satchels and having the 
umbrellas lowered. The first one back to the starting 
point receives a prize, which may be a book. One crowd 
was so enthusiastic that a second book was offered and 
won by another contestant. 

Surprise Race — No picnic is complete without a race 
of some sort. A jolly race which the onlookers enjoyed 
at a picnic was a " Chicken Race," and only women were 
qualified. When all the contestants were properly lined 
up his chickenship was headed in apparently the proper 
direction for a race. The racers were evidently not 
familiar with the ways of a chicken, for — with an in- 
dependence and self-assertiveness that is only shared with 
a pig — Mr, Rooster made a break for all points of the 
compass at once to the great consternation of the would- 
be captors. Such a scattering, here, there and every- 
where — over shoulders, between feet, now almost caught 
but for the tail-feathers not being in strong enough, 
women falling over each other, shrieks of laughter, and 
finally a deafening tumult that proclaimed the capture of 
the valiant fugitive ! 

A Bunkin' Party 

A " Bunkin' Party " is the name by which one of the 
two girls who told me about this idea called it. Let me 
tell you what the one says who lives in sunny Tennessee: 

" Father and Mother had gone North on their summer 
vacation, the servants were taking a rest, so my sister 
and I had the entire house at our disposal. As a good 
time seemed rather impossible if many guests were to be 
entertained for any length of time the idea came to us to 
invite a crowd to spend the night. The trouble and extra 
work, we knew, would discourage us if we stopped to 



FROLICS IN WOOD AND BY STREAM 273 

consider, so acting on impulse we telephoned a dozen of 
our girl friends, asking them simply to come to supper 
and spend the night with us. 

" Each maiden supposed she was to be our only guest ; 
the surprise was complete when upon arriving they found 
we were having a number of our most intimate friends. 
Our supper was prepared beforehand, so when our guests 
arrived everything was in readiness except the heating of 
some of the dishes in the gas oven. 

" Everything went merrily. When we served the ice 
we placed an attractive-looking note on each plate. The 
notes contained information like this : ' Mary W. is to 
occupy the north bedroom with Jane S. Duty — wash 
supper-dishes.' To each guest was given a duty, leaving 
the two hostesses time to superintend. The surprise of 
the crowd upon reading these notes and the awkwardness 
with which some of the girls went about their imposed 
tasks were ludicrous. The evening was spent in pro- 
gressive games and the ' maids of all work ' hung lanterns 
on the porches and arranged the tables, chairs, etc., and 
the wee, sma' hours found us playing pranks on one 
another. 

" We had assigned the domestic-science student of the 
party and one helper to the task of getting breakfast, so 
by the time the other girls were dressed in the morning a 
delicious hot breakfast was ready for them. 

" The girls went about their duties in a jolly good 
humor, but declaring that ' they were going to leave that 
very morning.' It did not take long, with so many maids, 
to set things to rights. The rest of the morning was 
spent in the grape arbor, lounging on the porches 
and chatting as only a crowd of congenial girls ean 
chat." 

Another girl who told me about the " Bunkin' Party " 



274 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

lives in Oklahoma. She sent sixteen girls the following 
invitation : 

" Come to my house a ' bunkin' on next Tuesday night, 

Bring your little kimono all tucked up out of sight. 

For just we girls together must have a jolly time. 

And each must do her part, you know, or else there'll be a fine. 

Don't let that scare you off, though, for we want you anyway : 

So telephone 132 and be sure you say ' Yea, yea.' " 

Then to sixteen young men she telephoned an informal 
invitation to come out and spend the evening. The porch 
with its hammocks and cushions gave them plenty of 
room and comfort without going indoors at all. Instead 
of serving refreshments at home she had a hay-wagon 
come and take them all down to the church, where the 
young ladies of the Sunday-school were serving ice cream 
and cake on the lawn. The ride to and from the church 
was a jolly time, with singing and college yells. When 
they got back there was just time for some flashlights 
before the young men were sent home — much against 
their will, for they had a great deal of curiosity as to 
what was going to be done after they left. 

The girls then donned their kimonos and adjourned to 
the living-room for the " stunts." Each one had to do 
something to entertain the crowd, and there was a varied 
program of music, songs, ghost stories, conundrums and 
gymnastics until a late hour. 

The hostess had numbered the beds and couches, and 
had the girls draw lots for places, so those who drew the 
pallets on the floor were as satisfied as the others. She 
had also prepared slips of paper with something about 
the morning work on each. While some of the girls made 
coffee and cooked eggs others made up the beds and tidied 
the rooms. After breakfast those who drew the cards 



FROLICS IN WOOD AND BY STREAM 275 

" Wash dishes " finished the work with rare good humor. 
Then there was more music and some jolly visiting before 
they all said good-by to their hostess. 



Beach Bathing Party 

" I was invited to attend a most successful and amusing 
Bathing Party given in honor of a girl who was the sum- 
mer visitor of a popular aunt living in a bungalow at a 
bathing beach," writes a friend to me. " The bathing 
season was at its height; in fact bathing was the only 
cooling thing to be done. 

" Three o'clock was the hour named in our invitation 
over the telephone, and at that hour we went by twos and 
threes, carrying suitcases containing our bathing suits, etc. 
As we reached the front door a big placard met our eyes 
with ' Lake View Bath-house, Get Locker Tickets Inside ' 
on it. The door being opened our hostess met us in her 
bathing suit and handed us each a square of cardboard 
with ' Locker No. i,' etc., on it, up to fourteen, and told 
us to go upstairs. There were placards on the stairway 
and in the halls, which we eagerly read ; such as : * Please 
Check All Jewelry — The Proprietor Will Not be Respon- 
sible for its Loss ' ; ' Bathing Caps for Sale, 65 Cents ' ; 
' Swimming Lessons, 50 Cents ' ; ' Water Wings, 5 Cents ' ; 
' Bring Your Own Soap.' 

" Then when we got upstairs we had to look for the 
numbers corresponding to our locker tickets, and found 
that all the bedrooms had three numbers on each floor, 
such as ' I, 2, 3,' ' g, 10, 11.' With much fun we found 
our ' lockers,' and very roomy ones they were. Each 
room had placards. In my locker were : ' Towels Can 
be Duplicated Free of Charge ' ; ' Put Wet Suits in Re- 
ceptacle ' ; ' Do Not Get the Floor Wet.' 



276 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

" After the fourteen of the party got into their suits 
and met downstairs we were taken to the back yard and 
placed in position to have our photographs taken. A 
short walk took us to the lake, where we had a jolly and 
refreshing bath. We then returned to the back yard, 
got rid of what wet things we could and went up the 
back steps to the kitchen door where a big placard said: 
' Please Do Not Get Any Sand or Weeds on the Floor ' ; 
'Hair Driers — in Back Yard.' 

" It did not take us long to get into our street clothes 
as we were all desperately hungry and could smell the 
fragrant coffee as we entered the kitchen. Meeting later 
in the sitting-room we saw on the closed dining-room 
doors : * Lunch-room — Meals at all Hours.' At six 
o'clock the doors were opened and we feasted our eyes 
on a large table which seated just fourteen. In the center 
was a large, round pan of water banked all around with 
real sand and shells, and playing in the sand and water 
were jointed china dolls in bathing suits of all colors. 
One was sitting under a tree (a big green leaf), another 
was under a little tent, while others were diving off a 
springboard (made from a berry box). 

" We foiind our seats at the table by hand-painted and 
prettily colored place-cards, showing a girl in a bathing 
suit. In addition to a supper of substantial sandwiches, 
salad and coffee we found on the table plates of marsh- 
mallows. At the left of each plate was a smaller plate 
holding a miniature candlestick with a pink birthday 
candle in it, a match, a toothpick and marshmallows. We 
enjoyed lighting the candle with the match, putting the 
toothpick through the marshmallow and toasting it over 
the flame of the candle. Around the room were placards 
'Hot Drinks Given Away'; 'No Tipping Allowed'; 'If 
You Do Not See What You Want Ask for It,' etc. 



FROLICS IN WOOD AND BY STREAM 277 

" The Bathing Party was so much fun that we went 
away hoping our hostess would give another one soon." 



Help One: Help All 

The novel and entertaining part of this party was in 
the preparation of the luncheon. The first part of the 
morning was spent in doing fancy-work. At an early 
hour the hostess brought out a tray on which were num- 
bered cards. She turned the numbers face down and each 
guest chose one. She then told them to search the porch 
and garden until they found cards bearing their numbers. 
Each card had a string attached to it and they were to 
follow the strings. The strings were wound in and out 
among the shrubbery, fences and trees. She told them 
that the one who first reached her destination with an 
unbroken string would receive a prize. With much ex- 
citement and laughter the fun began. 

String Number One led into the kitchen to the top of 
the refrigerator. Here were ice, hatchet and a bag to 
chop ice in. Tied to the hatchet was a card on which was 
written : 

" This hatchet and ice belong to you, 
Now hustle about to find Number Two." 

Number Two led down the basement stairs to a freezer 
and bag of salt. On the freezer was a card on which was 
written : 

"To turn this freezer your task will be, 
After the work of Number Three." 

Number Three led to the ice-box where the materials 
and recipe for ice cream were found. On the bottom of 
the recipe was written: 



278 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

" Numbers One and Two are waiting for you, 
With their help in a trice you can make something nice." 

Number Four led to the dining-room. Here were small 
tables and chairs on which were put the linen and silver, 
and a card which read : 

" To the porch take this linen, and chairs, silver and tables, 
To move them get Five and then you'll be able." 

Number Five took the owner away out behind some 
berry bushes. Here she found a card saying : 

" Hello, Number Five, how do you do ? 
Please wait right here till Four finds you." 

Number Six ended at the china closet. The necessary 
dishes were set at one side, also a card saying: 

" Find Four and then Five, 
With their help you'll be able 
To set four nice tables." 

Number Seven ended at the flower garden. Here was 
a card on which was written: 

" Now pick these flowers so pretty and sweet, 
And trim the table before you eat." 

Number Eight led to the bread-box. Here the card 
said: 

" Find Number Nine and do not wait. 
And take this bread with you, Number Eight." 

Number Nine led to a shelf behind the pantry door. 
Here were a knife and a plate of butter. Tied to the 
handle of the knife was a card which read: 

"Help will soon come to you, 
Then cut the bread and butter it too." 



FROLICS IN WOOD AND BY STREAM 279 

Number Ten and Eleven led to some covered dishes in 
the pantry. In these dishes were the ingredients for a 
salad. In the bottom of the salad-bowl lay a card which 
read: 

"To Ten and Eleven — 
When these strings you together bring, 
Then make the salad with these things." 

Number Twelve led to the pump. Here was a pitcher, 
and a card saying : 

" Go get some glasses, my fair daughter, 
And serve us all with nice fresh water." 

By adapting this arrangement to different circumstances 
and surroundings the idea may be used in many different 
ways. 



CHAPTER XVI 
THE HALLOWE'EN -PARTY 

Where Old Charms and Superstitions are Tried 

Unconventionality is the keynote of Hallowe'en fun. 
Do have everything different from the usual ! Invitations 
written on post cards decorated with button-face freaks 
will be unique. When the guests arrive at the front door 
let a sheet-draped " ghost " flash an electric light, showing 
a card reading, " Go to the cellar door and follow the 
rope." The rope must be stretched through the cellar, up 
the steps to the kitchen, and then up a back stairway to 
the second floor. Dim lights are furnished by pumpkin 
and skull lanterns. As the guests pass along some one 
behind the furnace drops a metal washtub on the cement 
floor, and other startling sounds are heard. 

In the second-floor hallway an appropriately garbed 
witch directs the ladies and gentlemen into their respective 
dressing-rooms. 

Upon descending to the reception hall the witch makes 
each guest take the following vow : 

I promise that I will not shirk 
My share in all this evening's work; 
In all the fun, too, I'll take part. 
And enter in with all my heart. 

Charms and Superstitions 

In olden times many queer superstitions prevailed. One 
old charm reads : " Take twenty-five new needles and 
set them on a plate, then pour water over them. Those 
280 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 281 

that cross denote enemies." This might be tried by all 
of the guests under the direction of an " old crone." 

Let each guest be blindfolded in turn and conducted into 
another room. Here he is turned around three times while 
he makes a wish. If when the bandage is removed from 
his eyes he " sees the new moon over his right shoulder 
his wish shall surely come to pass." So the old adage 
goes. The new moon is made of gilt paper, and each 
guest is turned around so that he cannot fail to have a 
fortunate omen. 

Another queer old superstition says: "If any one tells 
you anything and shortly afterward you have to sneeze it 
is a true omen that what was told you is true." The " old 
crone " tells this sign to the guests, and each has the 
opportunity of telling something to some one. Then the 
crone waves her magic fan, which is in the shape of a cat 
and has some snuff on it, and a general sneezing ensues. 
Even the family cat may take part in this performance, 
for the sneezing of a cat was thought in olden times to be 
an omen of good luck to all who heard it. 

The throwing of an old shoe after a bride is a relic of an 
ancient belief which was applied to any one who was 
about to undertake something new. Let all of the guests 
go through motions in pantomime showing something in 
which they hope to succeed. While so engaged the witch 
blindfolds one of the players and gives him an old shoe, 
which he tosses from him. The one whom it strikes is to 
be favored above all others. A baby's shoe should be 
used. 

While the guests are wondering what will come next a 
great paper spider descends on a silken thread from its 
web of cords in a corner of the ceiling. According to the 
old superstition the one on whom the spider descends will 
shortly inherit a large sum of money. 



282 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

For a jolly Hallowe'en game scoop out a very large 
pumpkin and make a Jack-o'-lantern face in it, with an 
especially large mouth. Put the lantern on a firm table 
at the end of a hall, or in a large room, being careful not 
to have breakable things near. Give each person a small 
soft ball, and in turn let each try to throw it into the 
mouth of the lantern. Every time a player is successful 
he or she is given a funny Hallowe'en favor. Popcorn 
balls, lollipops and pumpkin stickpins are among the favors 
most appreciated. 

For a novelty in refreshments the hostess might place 
on the table a quantity of crustless bread cut for serving, 
with plates of ham, tongue, anchovy paste, jelly, olives, 
cheese, etc., letting each lady, as her " work," make up 
the sandwich her partner likes best. Serve ice cream in 
Jack-o'-lantern orange shells. 

When the guests are about to depart the hostess says 
she will give each " a good-night kiss," and passes a plate 
of candy kisses. Upon being opened each is found to 
contain a slip of paper on which is a " fortune." 

Weird Settings That Add to the Spookiness of the 
Frolic 

At the entrance on the front porch two jolly scarecrows 
welcome the arriving guests, and the decorations of corn 
shocks, pumpkins and autumn leaves help to put one at 
once into the spirit of the evening's fun. 

Doors and windows may be converted into transparen- 
cies by covering them with yellow tissue and pasting on 
cut-out ghosts. Jack-o'-lanterns and pursuing witches. 
If the guests are received in a dimly lighted room, with 
all the windows thus decorated and a lantern hung out- 
side of each, the effect will be indescribably weird. The 
doors should be lighted from the inside. 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 283 

An effective paneled screen is decorated to represent a 
brick wall along which black cats prowl, while the sil- 
houetted heads of prowling witches are visible over the 
top. A flight of bats and a beaming moon fill the sky, 
and the base of the wall is trimmed with paper pumpkin 
vines and grinning " Jacks." 

Telling fortunes is an indispensable feature of the 
Hallowe'en frolic, and an easy and effective way to con- 
trive a booth for the seeress is to utilize an archway 
between two rooms'. An ordinary folding clotheshorse 
draped with sheets forms the back and sides, and the front 
is draped with black crepe paper dotted with ghostly fig- 
ures. Below the roof of fringed festoons is a frieze of 
owl heads, and an owl and twining paper snakes symbol- 
ize wisdom and subtlety on the tripod of the incense 
burner whence the pythoness is supposed to derive in- 
spiration. 

Standing sentinel at the foot of the stairs is a witch, 
the newel post forming her " skeleton." At her feet a 
black cat crouches, and above her head a fat green and 
black spider has spun a giant web in whose golden 
meshes winged bogies are entangled. Cornstalks bank the 
balustrade, and the wall is hung with fringed festoons in 
autumn colorings, whose ends are held by wooden plaques 
decorated with gummed stickers of witches and bats. 

If the fireplace is only an ornamental one a pretty 
decoration is afforded by swaying fringes of livid gray 
crepe paper from which peep grinning bogy faces, while 
Jack-o'-lanterns on the mantel furnish illumination when 
the lights are lowered. The paper is fireproofed and may 
be used if one so desires above the hearth fire where 
Hallowe'en fun so largly centers. 



284 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

A*NovEL Invitation 

The lines below beginning " Now what on earth," are 
intended for a homemade invitation. Cut a piece of yel- 
low paper twenty inches long and four inches wide, and 
in each inch write one of the lines. Then begin at the 
bottom and fold the paper up inch by inch. Fasten the 
last turn-down with a spooky gummed sticker, slip the 
invitation into a little envelope, put another sticker in the 
upper left-hand corner, a stamp in the upper right, ad- 
dress and mail it, and there will be no question that 
" everybody will be there." 

NOW WHAT ON EARTH 
DO YOU SUPPOSE 
IS IN THIS 
LITTLE FOLDER? 
JUST KEEP RTCHT ON 
AND YOU'LL FIND OUT 
ERE YOU'RE A 
MINUTE OLDER. 
A FEW MORE TURNS 
AND THEN YOU'LL KNOW. 
• OH, GEE ! AREN'T YOU 

EXCITED ? 
WE ENTERTAIN 
ON HALLOWE'EN 
AND THIS MEANS 
YOU'RE INVITED. 

NAME 

DATE .... 
PLACE .... 
MASQUERADE 

The Fortune's the Thing! 

Looking into the future is the stunt for Hallowe'en, and 
seeing it in pantomime is another way in which these 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 285 

Hallowe'en prophetesses, who may not be taken seriously 
except for the time being, may reveal it. 

A caldron is conspicuously placed in the front of the 
room, and when all are assembled a witch, taking her 
place beside it, solemnly announces : 

Does any dare to learn his fate? 
Then let him at the caldron wait; 
And he anon shall see revealed 
Whate'er his future days shall yield. 

A candidate for enlightenment accordingly presents 
himself beside the caldron, and the witch asks : 

Wouldst thou of thy fate then learn ? 
Dost thou for thy fate then yearn? 

Upon an affirmative reply the witch further questions : 

Though for fear thy cheek grow pale. 
Will thy purpose never fail ? 

After replying the candidate is required to spell his full 
name backward three times while slowly walking around 
the caldron. Needless to explain this is done to gain time, 
until the curtain is drawn back and upon a large white 
sheet a supposed scene from the applicant's future life is 
enacted in shadow pantomime. A peddler with a huge 
pack upon his back limps painfully across the stage, for 
instance. 

Among other " futures " similarly enacted are a fruit 
vender with a pushcart, a policeman, a traveling sales- 
man, a nurse bandaging a patient's head, a waitress, a 
cook, a fishwoman, and others equally amusing. Of 
course the " properties " are all in readiness and the 
cross-questioning of the witch gives the time necessary 
for preparation. 



286 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Your Fortune on Your Hand 

Still another fortune stunt that is simple to prepare is 
to draw upon white gummed paper tiny symbols of for- 
tune like moneybags, traveling bags, hearts, umbrellas, 
goggles, etc. These little squares are laid, gummed side 
up, on a plate. 

In the darkness of the witch's tent the fortune seeker's 
palm is moistened with a piece of ice. He is then com- 
manded to lay his hand flat upon the plate and when he 
lifts it he will have his fortune impressed upon his hand 
at least for the evening. The witch then interprets the 
symbols on his palm according to her flights of imagina- 
tion. 



Frivolous Fortunes Seen by the Old Witch 

You would like an auto and are wondering what you 
could get in the way of a good one : I see a good bump. 

There will be slight disturbances and uprisings around 
you : but only should you be baking bread. 

You have a very pleasing manner with you, and can 
brighten things up wonderfully for your friends: especi- 
ally silverware, providing you have a good kind of polish. 

A change will occur which will affect you greatly: the 
thermometer dropping a number of degrees will cause this. 

I see a sudden trip in store for you: likely down the 
cellar steps tomorrow. 

You will soon witness a turning point in your life, 
which will likely cause you a little inconvenience and 
maybe pain: the pin in your collar will probably be the 
cause. 

Good luck will follow you all the rest of your life: but 
will never overtake you. 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY -ji^y 

You will figure conspicuously in a literary sphere: most 
likely a sudden fall over a pile of books. 

You are very ambitious and aspire high, and I see you 
reaching the top of the ladder : house-cleaning time when 
you are hanging curtains. 

You will come before the public frequently, and will 
be a leader: most likely in leaving street cars or crowded 
buildings. 

You are of an irritable disposition, and will do consider- 
able stewing : over tough meat. 

I see checks innumerable coming your way: probably 
tomorrow you will meet some one with a checked dress on. 

The future holds grater things for you: you will find 
them by going into any hardware store. 

You are very fond of water, and it has always been the 
height of your ambition to take a water trip. I see such 
a trip coming your way shortly : over a pail of water. 

You are of a musical turn: if you had to you could wind 
up a phonograph without injury to yourself. 

I see a grate snap ahead of you: and it will likely hap- 
pen the first time you are near a stove. 

You are very shrewd in business matters, skillful in the 
management of others, having a desire to shine: and will, 
after washing your face with soap. 

You will age slowly : every twelve months will add only 
another year to your life. 

You will be very active in social undertakings, but will 
not be able to keep your place with the others : a polished 
floor causing your downfall. 

You are inclined to literature : you will likely fall asleep 
in the library with your head leaning against the bookcase. 

You will take up music shortly: likely when you are 
lifting the music to dust. 

You have very taking ways with you: in fact, people 



288 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

are always sure to miss something after you have left. 

Mercury is your ruling planet, with the sun lord of your 
horoscope. This denotes that most of your time will be 
spent in a hot, tropical atmosphere : likely over the kitchen 
stove or the washtub. 

You are not easily annoyed — in fact, you make light 
of a good many things that other people would not: old 
clothing, books, etc., you always burn. 

You are of an artistic temperament, drawing being one 
of the gifts bestowed upon you: drawing your breath. 

You will be considerably overcast and ruffled one of 
these days : when you don a new dress. 

Nonsense Rimes for the Maids 

You vow you have no " parlor tricks," 

Which will requite a lover's suit. 
But in the cake and bread you mix 

You'll find a splendid substitute. 

You like to teach arithmetic, 

And say it is great fun ; 
But there is one who'll teach you quick 

That one and one make one. 

Soon o'er the restless sea you'll journey. 

Be wooed by men of wide renown. 
But for a rising young attorney 

You'll turn all other ofifers down. 

You purpose now, as everybody knows, 
To lead the business life a little while. 

But should the only one you love propose, 
Don't keep his application upon file. 

Your golden voice will win for you 
The plaudits of a continent. 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 289 

But Fame will prove a guide untrue, 
And home alone will bring content. 

With genius you fervently burn ; 

High-art stunts arc constantly doing, 
But soon in your own home you'll learn 

The high art of baking and stewing. 

When you are walking down the street 
One rainy day your fate you'll meet. 
Beneath a friendly, large umbrella 
He will propose, the wily fellow. 

When you are away at college, 
Getting just "plumb-full" of knowledge, 
A professor you will meet, 
Who will worship at your feet. 

To write books you now do pine. 
Think as author you would shine. 
Shortly you will change your mind, 
And as wife contentment find. 

You'll love a man of the right sort, 

Although in stature he is small; 
But, " Better to have loved a short. 

Than never to have loved a tall I " 

In the country bright and sweet, 

'Neath a blue September sky, 
A rich farmer you will meet. 

And you'll wed him by-and-by. 

You have many a passing fad, 

" Can't endure a humdrum life," 
But some day you will be glad 

To settle down and be a wife. 



290 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

You're fond of raising flowers and chickens, 

Love music, and adore a ball. 
You dote on Kipling and on Dickens, 

But you love some one best of all. 

If I can read aright your fate, 
Within a year three changes great 
Will come to you, and you will see 
How very nice this world can be. 

Domestic science you will teach, 
And at this work you'll be a " peach." 
But not for long will you be " teacher," 
For you will wed a famous preacher. 

If you would read your fate, methinks, 

To Egypt you had better go. 
And there consult the wise old Sphinx, 

This is the only way I know. 

At first, " Love in a cottage " 

Will be your kind fate, 
But later you'll live 

In a mansion of state. 

You'll travel in Michigan, Kansas and Maine. 

With pleasure your days will be rife ; 
'Neath Florida's palms you'll meet a bold swain 

Who'll persuade you to try wedded life. 

So many hearts to choose betwixt, 
So many courting with such zest. 
What wonder if you're sometimes mixt 
About the one you love the best? 

As the wife of a captain of note 
You will travel upon the high seas. 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 291 

And you'll be the belle of the boat, 
And will spend all your days in great ease. 

A broker rich is seeking you. 

His name as yet you do not know. 
So take the one from Kalamazoo, 

And let the unknown person go. 

"To love, to cherish, and obey." 
Are words you vow you'll never speak, 

But you will change your mind some day, 
And be a loving wife and meek. 

If you'll wish on November the third. 
Then walk 'round a block with great speed, 

And for five hours speak not one lone word, 
Your wish shall be granted indeed. 

Your love between two swains 

Once was equally divided; 
But now your heart appears 

Just a little bit lopsided. 

No perfect husband's yet been found; 

Each has some peccadillo, 
But don't get sad and hang your harp 

Upon a weeping willow. 

Your nature so winsome and breezy 

Even Time will not wither or fade. 
You need never get " fussed " or uneasy 

For fear you will be an old maid. 

A stranger the girls think quite "classy" 

Has the airs of novelette beau; 
But if you'd be happy, my lassie. 

Choose the nice plain young fellow you know. 



292 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

A social light some day you'll be 

In dear old Washington, D. C. 

But when at this you've had your fling 

You'll scamper home like an^^thing. 

Some girls have charms that fairly stun, 

But which are not enduring. 
Your griddlecakes and " Sally Lunn " 

Will prove charms more alluring. 

Your fondness for cats and for tea 
Might indicate you would not wed; 

But signs do not always come true; 
To the altar two times you'll be led. 

If breaking hearts were termed a crime, 

You'd surely be indicted; 
But you would learn in ample time 

That hearts might be united. 



Nonsense Rimes for the Men 

In foreign lands you will reside, 
And you will be a gay globe-trotter; 

But you'll come back to win a bride. 
And you'll be very glad you got her. 

Upon the pinnacle of Fame, 

You'll carve your name with letters deep, 
And folks will shout with loud acclaim: 

" That man invented snoreless sleep ! " 

You ought to be a famous banker, 

A man of great financial force ; 
But since for outdoor sports you hanker, 

You'll wield a baseball bat, of course. 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 293 

Your Chesterfield manner and style 

Makes you loved by the worldly mammas; 

But if you'd " get busy " awhile, 
'Twould look good to the .sordid papas. 

An author you'll be, of great note; 

As famous as Dickens and Scott. 
Your sayings the whole world will quote, 

But your head won't be turned the least jot. 

One girl who's dark and one who's fair 

Will shortly come into your life. 
Should they both love you, don't you care, 

For you will have a red-haired wife. 

A girl who is merry and bright 

Is holding your heart in her sway, 
And she thinks that you are " all right," 

So ask her to just name the day. 

A schoolmarm you love and adore 

Pretends to be heartless and cold; 
But the lock that is on her heart's door 

Will open to you if you're bold. 

A stenographer, pretty and smart, 

Sits clicking her typewriter keys, 
And she'll soon click the keys of your heart 

With just as much quickness and ease. 

A dashing widow's set her cap for you; 

Your heart already don't belong to you, 
For of it I have very lately heard 

The lady owns at least " a widow's third." 

It once was your hobby to vow 
You'd be single through all of your life; 



294 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

But lately you met " Her," and now 
You soon will acquire a fine wife. 

The thought of bills and other ills 

Has made you fear to marry. 
Cheer up, faint heart ! it surely pays. 

So prithee do not tarry. 

As a dabster at stocks and at shares 
Your luck will e'en dazzle the nation; 

But a share of her love you desire, 
And her heart is a " close corporation." 

You once claimed that girls were a bore ; 

That no " carpet knight's " fate would be yours, 
But now, since there's one you adore. 

This feeling no longer endures. 

July Fourth, when the weather is cold, 
As you skate on some velvety ice, 

A young girl scarce fifty years old 
Will rescue you. Won't that be nice? 

The law will e'er be your strpng forte; 
You'll be judge in an appellate court; 
But the courting most pleasant to you 
Will be courting a sweetheart who's true. 

Her voice upon the unromantic phone 
From every other voice you quickly tell. 

That voice you love and that alone. 
In fact, you have a bad phonetic spell. 

Your dream of bliss is coming true ; 
A vine-clad bungalow for two, 
A moonlit porch, romantic quite, 
And you a real suburbanite. 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 295 

One girl you love is very tall, 
One medium, and one is small. 
Why not effect a compromise 
And choose the one of middle size? 

Don't deem your home town small or dull, 
For here the best things vi^ait for you — 
Fame, wealth, and fortune, and a girl 
Who always will be fond and true. 

Your brilliancy, polish, and wit 
Fit you for a diplomat's life. 
In Europe you'll make a great hit 
And a countess you'll win for a wife. 

Your lucky fruit will be the luscious date, 
Your lucky month the "merry month of May," 

And matrimony'll be your lucky state. 
Your wedding day will be your lucky day. 

A widow of wealth and of grace 

Of you has been thinking a lot. 
She has beauty of heart and of face. 

And for money she don't care a jot. 

A farmer's daughter you will wed, 

And live the simple life. 
And of you two it will be said : 

" They're happy man and wife." 

As a scientist you will win fame; 

You'll be great at discovering germs ; 
And the girl to whom you give your name 

Must converse in profound Latin terms. 

To marry, you do not desire. 
But your fate you can't hope to evade. 



296 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

To your love now three people aspire: 
A widow, a girl, an old maid ! 

There's one you love who's far away. 

Her heart's not bound by any fetter, 
So go to her and " say your say," 

And don't propose in a mere letter. 

A life of excitement and daring 
Was once what you fervently sought ; 

For domestic life now you are caring — 
There's adventure in that, like as not. 

You now pursue " Art for Art's sake " : 
" High thinking, plain living " for you 

But soon a position you'll take, 
And chase Art for a Living for two. 

At an accident soon you will be, 

Where many a life is at stake ; 
But your courage, your nerve, and your skill 

All previous records will break. 

So many compliments you pass, 
Vowing to each, " I'm yours alone," 

That when lass compares notes with lass. 
They say: "He's kissed the Blarney Stone." 



A Money-Raising Social 

The girls' class of a little church gave the following 
merry social at the schoolhouse on Hallowe'en. 
The invitations read: 

Come at early candlelight 

And learn your fate before midnight. 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 297 

They were easily and efifectively decorated in witch-and- 
cat silhouettes by means of a stencil and some black paint. 

Big posters, also decorated with a striking black-cat 
silhouette, appeared at the crossroads store, and at the 
station, schoolhouse and other conspicuous places, while 
neat cards of about six by eight inches were mailed to the 
churches in the nearby town, with a courteous request to 
the pastor to help their church by posting the notice or 
card on his church bulletin board. 

In the semi-darkness of the entry, to greet the guests, 
stood a very tall white-draped figure that extended a long 
hand in welcome, which had a way of uncannily becoming 
detached and lying chill and heavy in the recipient's grasp, 
(caused by the figure on low stilts releasing the draped 
bar of iron which he extended instead of a hand). 

Strange Tickets 

The room was lighted by grinning, sad or menacing 
pumpkin lanterns; the booths draped in white sheets or 
black cheesecloth. At the right of the entrance was a 
novel ticket ofiice with a stencil-decorated sign offering: 
" 6 tickets for 2^ cents. Drop in your quarter, and the 
cat will be let out of the bag regarding your future." 

A yellow paper " bag " stood on a tall box, the visitor 
dropped in his coin, and the witch presiding released a 
concealed bedspring, whereupon up shot six black card- 
board cats ! 

Securing his strange tickets, the guest looks around at 
the tempting "high jinks" awaiting his efforts to attain 
knowledge of his future. In one booth a row of apples 
hang by long strings in seemingly easy reach, each bear- 
ing on its concealed side the initial of the person who 
will most influence his future. So he permits his hands 



298 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

to be securely fastened behind him and marches up to 
grip an apple in his teeth. Having chosen his apple, he 
is not permitted to change his efforts to another, but must 
pursue his first very animated choice to the end. If he 
succeeds, he is given a tally card vi^ith a v^^itch silhouette 
on it, and one gilt star is stuck in the sky through which 
the v^itch rides. 

The next booth is for the old-fashioned stunt of apple 
bobbing, which always causes merriment, the successful 
participants receiving another star on their tallies. 

In the third (curtained) booth, after having found the 
initial of his or her future intended by throwing an apple 
paring over his shoulder, the inquisitive one is handed a 
mirror and told to view on it the moon up on the black 
screen, over his left shoulder. As he does this the face of 
the intended one passes across the moon. This marvel is 
accomplished by the " witch " pulling a concealed thread 
on the right of the lantern-box for a man's head, on the 
left for a woman's. 

The lantern is in a cracker box with the holes covered 
with orange paper opposite the opening in the black 
screen. Similar-sized holes are cut in stout squares of 
cardboard and a man's or a girl's head is pasted over the 
opening, being careful that no printing appears on the 
back of the picture. These boards are slid into a set of 
grooves arranged on the box and have strings on each 
side of them, that the witch may easily manipulate them. 
Soap rubbed on the edges causes them to slide readily. 

At another booth on one side one could draw from a 
magic caldron a slip of blank white paper which, heated 
above a candle, disclosed a prophecy, comical or dire as 
the case might be. The slips, of course, had been previ- 
ously written upon with milk, with a clean, coarse-pointed 
pen. 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 299 

In the fifth booth a row of pumpkins sat along the 
counter. Upon presenting his cat ticket a little red net 
bag was handed the fortune seeker and he was told to 
select a magic seed from each pumpkin in turn. These 
pumpkins were labeled much after the order of the old 
game of " Fortune " of our rope-jumping days. The first 
card bore, " Whom will I marry," and on the seed was 
pictured, with black paint, dark or light headed figures, tall 
or short, fat or thin, young or old, good or bad (by their 
pious or diabolical expression), handsome, pretty, or ugly, 
etc. " His or Her Age " came next. " His or Her Occu- 
pation " was depicted by implements from all trades and 
professions. On the next lot of seed: "What Will I 
Ride to the Wedding in?" "What Will the Weather 
Be?" "In What Month Will the Wedding Come?" 
"What Clothes Will I Wear?" etc. The seeds were 
large, white and carefully dried, and the tiny sketches 
were cleverly made, so much fun was created. 

At the last booth was mounted a big, tissue-wrapped 
cartwheel called the " Wheel o' Fortune," to the spokes 
of which were attached bundles of all shapes and sizes 
containing various articles. The presenter of the cat 
ticket was handed a long wand with which to spin the 
wheel, and the package suspended at the highest point 
where the wheel became still was his. At this last booth, 
instead of the star on his tally to show that his fortune 
seeking had been a success, a little crescent moon was 
stuck, which completed the scheme of the attractive little 
tallies. 

At the refreshment tables, appropriately decorated, were 
found stenciled menus, mysteriously worded thus: 

(i) A witch's brew, 
(2) Or demon's stew, 
With seashore witch 



300 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

(3) or (4) To burn or twitch 

your tongues and lips; 

(5) Or I scream 

(6) And find a dream, 
Though hidden deep it seem. 

The key to this is: (i) tea and crackers; (2) chocolate 
with a marshmallow floating on it, and cakes; (3) deviled 
ham sandwich, or (4) olive and cheese sandwich; (5) ice 
cream; (6) a square of cake in which is imbedded a 
paraffin-wrapped prophecy. Each number ordered was 
five cents, and on a table at your right as you left, were 
dainty boxes of fruit cake, sold for ten cents each, with 
the assurance that if eaten that fateful night just before 
retiring, prophetic dreams would surely come ! 

The dainty witches cleared a nice little sum that night 
with comparatively little trouble. 

Finding the Witch's Cat 

Are you going to give a Hallowe'en party this year, 
and would you like to have it just a little different from 
any you ever went to, yet of a real Halowe'en flavor? 
Then try " Finding the Witch's Cat." 

Send out invitations on cards shaped in the outline of a 
pussy cat. They read : 

Lost 

One cat; black-green eyes, long whiskers. Return to the 

Hallowe'en Witch, Street, at half-past seven, October 

thirty-first. Reward. 

Those who receive the invitations will readily under- 
stand that they are to come to the party dressed to rep- 
resent cats. There are various simple ways of turning 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 301 

one's self into a pussy. The easiest way is to wear a little 
black paper cap with pointed ears. Cover the face with a 
small mask of paper to which some bristles have been 
gummed for whiskers and a piece of pink flannel for a 
tongue. The hostess, of course, dresses in the regulation 
witch's costume with a peaked hat and shawl; she carries 
a broomstick. 

Over the door of the room where the party is to be held 
fasten the sign: CATS IDENTIFIED HERE. The 
room is decorated to represent the witch's house. By the 
fireplace stands an old broom, and over the mantel is a 
framed picture of a cat. Paste a figure of a cat, cut from 
black paper, on an orange background. This may be 
slipped under the glass of any framed picture or merely 
pinned up. The witch's black kettle, in which she brews 
her marvelous potions, hangs in the fireplace. Cobwebs 
of gray crepe paper cut in strips flutter in every avail- 
able place. Let jack-o'-lanterns grin in the dim light of 
every corner and a dismal (paper) owl or two look down 
from a perch on a dead branch. 

Identifying the witch's lost cat is the first business of 
the gathering; so, as soon as all the guests arrive, the 
old witch tells them that failing sight prevents her from 
picking out her cat in the usual way so she must put all 
the cats to a test. The Hallowe'en cat is a very clever 
animal that knows the answers to the following questions. 
Then she distributes pencils and cards on which are the 
questions : 

(i) Of what should Hallowe'en candlesticks be made? 
(Broomsticks.) 

(2) When a witch goes to school what does she do best? 
(Spells.) 

(3) What relatives are always present at a Hallowe'en 
party? (Pumpkin.) 



302 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

(4) Who takes charge of the lights on Hallowe'en? (Jack- 
o'-Lantern.) 

(5) If a witch could change herself into something to eat, 
what would it be? (Sandwich.) 

The one who makes the best answers proves himself the 
witch's cat, and is decorated with an enormous bow of 
orange ribbon or paper and awarded a chocolate mouse. 
The witch says she is very sorry that she cannot keep all 
the cats, but they may stay a while and have some 
fun. Would they like to play a game called " Witch's 
Spells"? 

The cats join hands in a circle, leaving the witch out- 
side. She runs around and touches one player, who leaves 
his place and begins to run. Those in the circle count ten 
aloud, and the witch gives chase. If she succeeds in 
catching the other at the last count she " casts a spell " 
over him — that is, she whispers in his ear that she is go- 
ing to turn him into some animal. Then, by his actions, he 
tries to make the others guess what he is. The first to 
guess correctly becomes the next witch. If the first player 
touched is not caught the witch has to try again. 

The game of " Hallowe'en Cat " may follow. A line is 
formed and one chosen for a leader. He says, " I have a 
black cat and he likes buttercups. What does your black 
cat like ? " Turning to the first one of the line. Suppose 
he replies : " My cat likes nails." The leader declares : 
" Your cat is not a Hallowe'en cat." The secret is that 
the Hallowe'en cats like objects that are yellow. 

No Hallowe'en party would be complete without for- 
tunes. In this case the fortunes are for cats, although 
they are written by the boys and girls. The witch gives 
out papers and pencils and asks each guest to write a 
fortune for a cat, answering these questions: 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 303 

What kind of owner will you have? 
Where will you live? 
How will you be treated ? 
What is your greatest delight? 
What is your greatest trouble? 
What tricks can you do ? 

The vv^riters will try to make the answers as funny as 
possible. The witch collects them, putting all the answers 
to the same questions in separate dishes. Then each per- 
son draws one from each dish and reads the combined 
results. One cat's fortune might be this : " You will be- 
long to a mountain climber and live at the bottom of the 
sea. Your owner will give you a bed of down and feed 
you on ice cream. Your greatest delight will be in ridding 
your master's home of mice ; your greatest trouble, to find 
the end of your tail. You will be able to play your own 
accompaniments on the piano." 

After these frolics, the Hallowe'en cats will be ready 
for refreshments. Give them Hallowe'en milk (orange- 
ade) and sand Witches. The latter are ordinary sand- 
wiches filled with cream cheese and chopped nuts or any 
other dainty filling, wrapped in a white paper napkin 
folded in a triangular shape like a witch's hat and fastened 
with a Hallowe'en seal. For sweets serve " saucers of 
cream, mice, and catnip ice cream." The saucers of cream 
are round wafers frosted with white; the mice are of the 
usual chocolate variety; the catnip ice is orange sherbet 
served with a little sprig of mint in every portion. 

To decorate the table for the Hallowe'en pussies, lay 
two strips of orange crepe paper lengthwise and cross- 
wise over the cloth. For a centerpiece to cover a sur- 
prise " pie " dress a doll in an old-witch's costume. Make 
a cone of black paper for her hat, pin a pointed shawl over 



304 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

her shoulders and give her a very full skirt of crepe 
paper. This is pulled out to cover a dish filled M^ith little 
parcels containing jokes and surprises. Each is attached 
to a ribbon or strip of paper which ends around the neck 
of a black pussy cat standing before each plate. It is 
easy to find a good cat's figure among the designs on the 
fancy papers sold at Hallowe'en, or the pattern may be 
traced from a picture in a book. Mounted on cardboard 
and cut out, these kitties make a fine showing on the 
Hallowe'en table. 



A Hallowe'en Ghost Party 
Invitation : 

If friendly ghosts you've never seen, 

And think there's nothing to it, 
Come to my house on Hallowe'en — 

I'm sure you will not rue it. 

Or: 

You are invited to see the ghosts of your friends (blank) 
evening, October thirty-first at eight. 327 Park Avenue. 

For the invitation use orange-colored stationery. Cut 
the paper so that you have a single piece the size of the 
envelope. Fold down the two ends about half an inch 
from the edge. On the first crease write your guest's 
name heavily with ink; fold down quickly without blot- 
ting. This will spread the ink and make his " ghost." 
On the other crease make your own " ghost." When they 
are dry write the invitation. 

The main work of preparation is the making of a ghost 
book for each guest. Use ordinary writing paper (with- 
out lines). Make each book with ten right-hand leaves, 
add a cover of orange-colored Bristol board decorated 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 



305 



with a black-cat sticker and tied with black cord; or use 
black board with pumpkin stickers and orange ribbon. On 
the first page of the book write the guest's name; on the 
second page (not on the back of the first) write "The 
Ghost That Sings"; on the third page, "That Chews"; 
on the fourth, " That Bobs "; on the fifth, " That Roasts "; 
on the sixth, " That Writes " ; on the seventh, " Reads 
Palms " ; on the eighth, " Tells Tales " ; on the ninth, 
"That Walks"; on the tenth, "That Eats." Now fold 
each page lengthwise, so that you have a crease on which 
to write the name that makes the ghost. It is easier to 
put the cover on after the writing is done. 

When your guests arrive have a ghost, dressed in 
sheet and pillow case, receive them silently and point to 
the stairs. Upstairs have another ghost to point to the 
room, but let no word of greeting be spoken unless it can 
be done in a hollow voice that will give the guests chills. 

After the guests have all arrived put off the ghost cos- 
tume, turn up the lights, hand out the books and show the 
guests how to make the ghosts. Have three small tables, 
three bottles of ink and twelve pens with very coarse 
points (this number for twelve guests). Let each man 
write in each girl's book, and vice versa. For example, 
Mary writes in John's book on the page headed " That 
Bobs," John writes in Mary's book on the corresponding 
page, and John and Mary are partners for the bobbing. 

When the books are finished remove the tables, ink and 
pens. Have the guests find partners for the first stunt, 
announce that they will be given two minutes in which to 
select a song, then have each pair sing their song at the 
same time that all the others sing theirs. The uproar will 
be hideous, no doubt. When the songs are over ring a 
bell for change of partners. 

For the chewing give each man a new string with a 



3o6 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

raisin in the middle. He chews the string from one end, 
his partner at the other, the contest being to arrive at the 
raisin first. 

For the bobbing hang six apples in the doorways, and 
let each pair try to get a bite from the swinging apple 
without touching it. 

For the fifth, roast marshmallows or chestnuts. For 
six each writes a poem about his partner or Hallowe'en. 
In the seventh a girl reads her partner's palm. In the 
eighth the man tells his partner a ghost story. For nine, 
have the guests put on their wraps and go for a walk, 
warning them to follow their leader, who should be in- 
structed to bring them back in a short time. If practicable 
have them come in through the back door or the basement, 
up back stairs, to remove their wraps. Or have them 
come back to find the house apparently dark. 

While they remove their wraps light the candles and 
jack-o'-lanterns in the rooms below; then as the guests 
come downstairs they find their partners and sit down 
at the tables. After the lunch is finished have some one 
tell a ghost story while medicated alcohol and salt are 
burned in a shallow tin on the table. To prevent the awk- 
ward pause which sometimes comes after eating have the 
whole crowd gather at the piano and sing. 

Jack-o'-lanterns cut from pumpkins ought to be used 
wherever available. Bats and cats of black suspended 
from chandeliers and on curtains, orange and black stream- 
ers, autumn leaves and cornstalks, all give the right at- 
mosphere. The table, however, affords the best oppor- 
tunity. Have orange and black nut cups, a black cat 
sitting on the edge of each glass, a pile of oranges, with 
eyes, nose and mouth of black paper, pasted on each, and 
at each end candles with orange and black shades. Make 
the candlesticks of turnips, large carrots or a small squash; 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 307 

cut them so that they rest flat on the table ; hollow a place 
in the top to hold the candle. 

The supper itself may be a real old-fashioned one of 
doughnuts, pumpkin pie, coffee, apples and popcorn, or it 
may be as modern as you like. If you wish to make tiny 
menu cards of black paper written in white, put the fol- 
lowing on them : 

Satan's Delight Fruit Cocktail 

Witch Stew Creamed Chicken in Patties 

Fried Butterflies Potato Chips 

Pumpkin Dainty Orange Ice 

Devil's Cake Chocolate Cake 

Black Cat Beverage Coffee 

A Hallowe'en Witch Party 

The invitation was written on a card decorated with a 
gummed sticker of a witch on a broomstick and it read 
as follows: 

Time — October 31, at 8 o'clock; 
Place — For you to find. 
The Witches Three demand your presence for a spree 
Among the hills in a den they'll be. 
If you figure this rime. 
And have plenty of time, 
Don suit and mask and a spirit of fun — 
They'll be glad to see you, one by one. 
R. S. V. P. to one of these : 

A FOOD FOR THE GODS. 
AN UPHEAVAL OF EARTH. 
A TITLED LADY. 

Beheading of the Victims at 8:15 

As the intelligent reader has already guessed, the party 
was at the home of Miss Hill, and the other hostesses were 
represented in the above rebits. 



3o8 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

We arrived, much gowned and masked, at the appointed 
hour. The electric Hghts had been turned out, and porch, 
hall, stairway and parlors were lighted with innumerable 
jack-o'-lanterns. A very gaudy " devil " opened the door 
and pointed up the stairway. At the door of the dressing 
room, half hidden in a niche, stood a giant " Ghost." 
Gnomes, ghosts and devils were to be seen on every side. 
Instinctively one whispered. After removing our wraps 
we glided down to the parlor. Such a supernatural, grin- 
ning collection of spooks as we saw ! 

Not to be late for the beheading, people came on time, 
and almost at the hour set another giant sepulchral figure 
mounted a chair, and, in guttural tones, read riming de- 
scriptions of each invited sinner. Two assistant demons 
seized each victim in turn, brought him to the door of the 
chamber of tortures, and ushered him in alone to meet his 
doom. In a moment one could hear a prolonged shriek 
and the thud of the headsman's ax, after which, as I 
learned when my turn came, the poor beheaded spirit was 
ushered into another room, where he found the hapless 
ones who had preceded him and where he was free to 
remove his mask and fraternize with kindred souls. 

When the last head had been severed the lights were 
turned on, and the poster decorations caught our eyes at 
once. A frieze of black cats, witches and bats decorated 
parlor, library and dining room. They were cut from 
crepe-paper napkins and borders and were most effective. 

We found our partners by matching apples which had 
been cut in two. Then we proceeded to discover our fate 
(or fates) through a dozen mediums. Candy in which 
" fortunes " were wrapped up was a popular way. One 
booth contained a palmist; another a crystal gazer; a 
third, a fortune teller. In another niche our astral bodies 
were revealed to us by means of a book containing shiny 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 309 

leaves, each leaf folding vertically in the middle. With 
plenty of ink, we vv^rote our names on the crease, instantly 
blotting the other side over upon it. The sprawling sym- 
metrical result was the aforesaid " astral body." 

An amateur hypnotist and his well-trained " subject " 
divulged some good-natured and very embarrassing 
" truths " about those present. Then it was time for the 
lap supper, which consisted of sandwiches, dill pickles, 
coffee, doughnuts and pie served in paper plates (deco- 
rated), with tin cups and ornate paper napkins. The 
cream was in a diminutive can labeled " Gasoline " and 
stoppered by a potato. The sugar cubes were in a toy 
coalhod marked " Dynamite." During supper a weird 
ghost story, " The Wind in the Rose Bush," by Mary 
Wilkins Freeman, was very effectively told. 

A Horror Party 

Either of the following verses might be used as an in- 
vitation to a Horror Party and may be suitably decorated 
with gummed silhouette cats or witches : 

On Tuesday eve, October 31, 

We will receive 

You and your Horror Chief. 

Admission Fee, 

This night will be, 

A symbol of your horror. 

Oh, hither haste on Hallowe'en, 
Where woodland witches wait; 

Where silent sheeted ghosts are seen — 
Oh, come and learn thy fate." 

Each person should be requested to bring something to 
the party of which he has a particular horror. Toy mice, 



310 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

snakes and spiders would be some of the things to be 
brought by the girls, while pins, candy and hatpins might 
be brought by the men. These might all be auctioned off 
later in the evening. 

The room should be decorated with weird pictures and 
crepe paper in Hallowe'en design. In one corner an 
illuminated skeleton might stare out from a jungle of 
ferns and boughs. The electric lights might be covered 
with shades on which horrible faces have been painted. 
Very few lights should be used, so that the room will 
have as weird an atmosphere as possible. The hostess 
should meet her guests at the door in ghost's apparel. 
Weird piano music would add to the general effect and 
someone with ability should entertain the guests with 
ghost stories. 

After the telling of ghost stories the host or hostess 
might announce in a solemn manner that " John Brown " 
had met with an automobile accident on his way to the 
party and that his body has arrived in sections. All the 
guests should be requested to kneel on the floor and a 
large sheet should be brought in. Each person should 
grasp the sheet with the left hand and hold it about a 
foot from the floor. The lights are turned low. The 
" remains " should then be brought in in a covered basket 
and the different parts passed around the circle under the 
sheet by each person's right hand, which is free. The 
hostess could start things by saying : " Poor John only 
had one eye," and a grape might be passed around to 
represent this. A bit of false hair or a doll's wig would 
do for his scalp, a number of spools strung on stiff wire 
would serve as the spinal column, odd lengths of corn- 
stalks for various bones, a large rubber bath sponge 
slightly moistened for the brain, a kid glove stuffed with 
sawdust and dipped in ice water for his hand, and so on. 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 311 

Other spooky things which might be passed under the 
sheet for this game are a hot potato, a piece of ice, a 
feather, a potato stuck full of short bits of toothpicks, a 
piece of fur, a shelled hard-boiled egg, all explained as 
symbols of horror which John was bringing with him to 
the party. 

Seeing skulls looming up white out of black darkness 
is undoubtedly a spooky stunt. Mount on a sheet of 
white paper the outline of a skull cut from black paper, 
one for each guest, about three inches long. The guests 
are told they are to see what happens when anyone is 
caught by a witch. A dark curtain is stretched across a 
doorway and the victim is seated several feet from it. 
The skull is looked steadily in the left eye under a strong 
light while the words, " Caught by witches," " Caught by 
witches," are repeated twenty times. Then the victim 
looks quickly at the dark curtain — and he sees what 
happens ! 

Hallowe'en Initiation 

Did you ever try a Hallowe'en initiation? It is es- 
pecially good for a club wishing to add to its members. 
Let the invitations read : 

Thursday evening! What of it? Hallowe'en! 
And the club boys and girls will gather, I ween, 

To have just a jolly good time. 
Hobgoblins and witches ! How fearful your fate 
If not in the house at a quarter past eight ! 

Ghosts welcome the guests and point the way to the 
dressing-rooms, not a word being uttered. 

We will suppose each girl has been asked to bring a 
mask, a sheet and a pillowcase. For the boys you can 
provide most complete disguises in the form of black-cats' 



312 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

heads — and how easily one may be made ! Simply a 
piece of black cambric on which are sketched eyes and 
whiskers. This is worn with the face on the back of the 
head, and slits for the eyes and mouth are cut on the 
other side. It will add not a little to the amusement 
of the evening to have the cats always walking back- 
ward. 

The boys are detained in the dressing-room and told 
when they don their heads — which are numbered — that 
their only articulations are to be in the language of the 
felines which they represent. 

When the ghosts have put on their disguises and are 
roaming through the rooms downstairs the boys are sum- 
moned one by one by a ghost who knocks so many raps 
on the door, the boy having the number which corre- 
sponds with the knock answering. After being blind- 
folded he is led out " to ride the goat." This consists in a 
prowl downstairs and through the rooms, the floors of 
which are littered with every available obstacle — garden 
hose, old baskets, carpets and cushions. On one of the 
latter he kneels, and after raising the right paw responds 
in meows most unfamiliar to an oath of allegiance to the 
ghosts of the evening. A muffled dinner-gong will lend 
an added touch of awe. This is the oath the boys take: 

In seeking admittance I most solemnly swear allegiance to 
this " Sisterhood of Ghosts." I promise to aid them in every- 
way in their noble efforts to send creepy shivers up and down 
the spinal column of the so-called members of the sterner 
sex. 

I promise to insist that aspiring members retain a breathless 
silence in the presence of this most esteemed " Order of the 
Sheets," and shall assist at all times in subduing the inevitable 
masculine giggle. 

This I swear by saluting the symbol of my loftiest aspira- 
tion. 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 313 

On removing the blindfold the boya find the symbol 
to be a pumpkin head. 

Earlier in the evening the ghosts have also been given 
numbers, and numbered cards handed to them headed, 
" Who are the cats ? " and to the boys similar ones headed, 
" Who are the ghosts ? " After the initiation, for the 
most correct ansvi^ers prizes, hidden in pumpkins or cab- 
bages, may be given. 

The doors may now^ be thrown open into the dining- 
room, revealing a floor carpeted with leaves, in the center 
of which a large iron pot hangs on a tripod, the only light 
coming from the salt and alcohol burning on the grate. 
Mirrors hidden in the leaves reflect the eerie light, and 
cushions are arranged in a circle on the floor. 

The old witch standing over the boiling pot perceives a 
fortune for each guest, and as the fortunes are told re- 
freshments with curious names may be served. 

The guests may be given " Wands from the Fairies " as 
a protection from evil spirits on their homeward way. 
These may be the noise-making favors that may be pur- 
chased at five cents each, and the guests will be out of 
sight long before they are out of hearing. 

Maple Leaf Luncheon 

A " Maple-Leaf Luncheon " was the charming form of 
entertainment conducted by a hostess whose hospitality 
has a touch of originality. 

The invitations to this particular luncheon gave a hint 
of something unusually delightful. As the envelope was 
opened several tiny leaves fell out, and the accompanying 
card read: 

Maple leaves are falling fast. 
Red and brown in golden weather ; 



314 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Ere their beauty all is past 

Let us lunch and chat together. 
N. B. Wear your walking skirt and shoes. 

(Signed, with name and date.) 

The luncheon fell on one of those rarely beautiful days 
that come sometimes in November — crisp and' cool, 
when, with a kindly sun overhead, it was a treat in itself 
to be out in the country. The guests were admiring the 
woods, aflame with color, just back of their hostess's home, 
and the bright flowers in her garden, when they were sum- 
moned to the dining-room. Their first impression upon 
entering the room was that they were in a miniature 
forest, by a campfire, with a table spread under the trees. 
Maple leaves and branches almost concealed the out- 
lines of the long, many-windowed dining-room. The bare 
floor was strewn with leaves. The brick fireplace was 
surrounded with boughs of maple, and its crackling wood 
fire seemed to be burning on the ground. Shades were 
pulled high, and the sun streamed through the narrow 
windowpanes. On the dark oak table there was a center- 
piece of green moss and bright leaves, with shaggy chrys- 
anthemums blending with branches of dwarf maple and 
green ferns. The plate doilies were of maple leaves 
fastened on a round piece of paper, while single leaves 
were used wherever smaller doilies were needed. The 
favors were small trees with hollow trunks filled with 
salted nuts. They were made of brown cardboard and 
decorated with real leaves in the form of branches. The 
place-cards were beautiful single leaves, on which strips 
of paper with the guests' names were pasted. 

The menu was in keeping with the brilliant colors of 
autumn. Fruit cocktails of shredded pineapple and or- 
anges were served in shells of bright red apples. " Little 
pigs in blankets," which are fried oysters rolled in bacon, 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 315 

were accompanied by baked potatoes, broken open and 
seasoned with butter and pepper. Green peppers, stuffed 
with tomatoes and each garnished with a slice of carrot, 
were as pretty as they were delicious. There was a salad 
of chopped apples and chestnuts on lettuce leaves, and the 
dessert could be only one thing — pumpkin pie. Stuffed 
olives and celery were the relishes, and toasted marsh- 
mallows ended the feast. 

After luncheon, instead of embroidery which fre- 
quently sends the guests at a luncheon home with head- 
aches, they had a long tramp through the woods, hunting 
chestnuts and gay foliage to brighten their city homes. 

A similar form of entertainment with its open fire 
would be delightful after a nutting party or moonlight 
" hike," and the dainty maple nut sandwiches — made of 
chopped English walnuts and maple sugar, moistened with 
cream, and maple-leaf cookies, " frosted " with granulated 
sugar, or nut cake could be served with coffee. 

In that case the squirrel shades would be just the thing 
to soften whatever candlelight would be needed. They 
are made from nursery cut-out papers, which may be 
bought inexpensively from kindergarten supply stores. If 
placecards are desired they may be decorated with squir- 
rels cut from brown paper. 

If given on Hallowe'en the favors could be the witches 
whose faces are nuts, and a humorous surprise may be 
planned by dressing up an electric flashlight. The gro- 
tesque heads may be bought at novelty shops, and as the 
light is flashed the transparent paper features are lighted 
up. These ghost figures are startling and lots of fun until 
the mysterious secret of the ghost is discovered. 



3i6 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Other Games and Stunts 

Hiding Ring, Thimble and Penny: Hide a ring, 
thimble and penny in the room. To the one who finds the 
ring speedy marriage is assured ; the thimble denotes a life 
of single blessedness; the penny promises wealth. 

Apples and Flour: Suspend horizontally from the 
ceiling a stick three feet long. On one end stick an apple, 
upon the other tie a small bag of flour. Set the stick 
whirling. Each guest takes a turn in trying to bite the 
apple end of the stick. It will be amusing to see each 
one receive dabs of flour on the face. The guest who first 
succeeds in biting the apple should receive a prize. 

Ring and Goblet : Tie a wedding ring or a key to a 
silk thread, and hold it suspended within a glass; then 
say the alphabet slowly. Whenever the ring strikes the 
glass begin over again, and in this way spell the name of 
the future mate. 

Blowing the Candle : Place seven lighted candles on 
a table. Blindfold a man (or a girl), turn him around 
three times, then tell him to walk to the table and blow 
three times. The number of candles left burning shows 
the number of years before marriage. If all are ex- 
tinguished, the wedding will be inside of a year. If none 
are blown out the wedding is never to be. 

Apple-Seed Test: Cut an apple open and see how 
many seeds it contains. If only two are found, they show 
an early marriage; three, a legacy; four, great wealth; 
five, a sea voyage ; six, great fame ; and seven, the posses- 
sion of any gift most desired. 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 317 

DECORATING THE TABLE 

Silhouette Table 

Solemnly circling around a diminutive box tree hung 
with jack-o'-lanterns are seven sable owls (seven being a. 
magic number) with staring yellow eyes. Around the 
edge of the table, as favors, are ranged a procession of 
taper holders in the form of black cats. A flight of bats 
hangs from the chandelier. 

Menu 

Astrologer's Broth (Bouillon containing carrots cut in the 

forms of stars, crescents, triangles, etc.) 
Fairy Wands (Bread sticks) Mysteries (Chicken patties) 

Nerve Tonic (Celery) 
Hobgoblin Salad (individual fruit salads decorated with goblin 

heads on toothpicks) 
Talismans (cakes cut out in symbolic forms, as shamrocks, 

horseshoes, etc.) 

Owls' Nests (ice cream formed into nests containing peanut 

owls) 

Fortune Cups 

(Tea containing a few grounds for telling fortunes) 

Pumpkin Blossom Table 

To the attractiveness of the paper Hallowe'en table- 
cloth, and the jack-o'-lantern paper plates, is added a 
running pumpkin vine, and out of pumpkin blossoms the 
candles rise. 

The favors are jaunty little figures with pumpkin faces 
and tendril arms, dressed in pumpkin blossoms and carry- 
ing tiny baskets filled with salted almonds. 



3i8 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Menu 

Nightmare (Welsh rabbit) 

Jack-o'-Lanterns (Waldorf salad in apple shells with bogy 

faces carved on one side) 

Spinster's Thimbles (hot, thimble-shaped biscuit) 

Brownies (Ginger Cooky Men) Mystic Potion (Coffee) 



Witch Table 

In the center of the table is the mystical figure known 
as Solomon's Seal, cut from cardboard, with a taper burn- 
ing at each point. Upon this figure stands a tripod sup- 
porting a black caldron above a " fire " of twigs. Con- 
cealed in the caldron — from which rises a cloud of 
" steam," the new curled wool used on Christmas trees — 
are walnut shells containing humorous " fortunes." 
These are tied with narrow orange ribbons which extend 
to the various places, where they are fastened to toy in- 
sects, lizards, frogs, etc. Around the centerpiece is a 
ring of grotesque paper witches, and the tablecloth is 
decorated with weird figures performing incantations over 
caldrons from which grinning specters rise. 

Menu 

Ghostly Dose (cream of celery soup served in witch caldrons 

made by covering custard cups with black crepe 

paper and adding wire handles) 

Sand Witches (rolled bread and butter sandwiches) 

Magic Rings and Fairy Umbrellas 

(Filet of beef served in circular slices with mushrooms) 

Drifted Snow Blossoms in Disguise 

(Riced potato) (Creamed cauliflower au gratin) 

Sorcerer's Surprise 

(Mixed vegetable salad served in green peppers) 

Hocus Focus Witches' Brew 

(Pineapple trifle with whipped cream) (Coffee) 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 319 

Vegetable Table 

Hung from the chandelier are trailing wisps of gray 
crepe-paper fringe, representing Florida moss, and a num- 
ber of grotesque vegetable lanterns. Beneath, in the cen- 
ter of the table, is a vegetable figure rising from the heart 
of a huge lettuce. Smaller heads of lettuce are heaped 
with miniature waxed vegetables containing " fortunes." 
The place-cards are held by pumpkin men painted in 
water-colors. Candy boxes represienting absurd little 
vegetable figures form the favors. Around the edge of 
the table are jack-o'-lanterns cut from decorated crepe 
paper. 

Menu 

Demon's Draught Pigeon Wings and Capers 

(Cream of spinach) (Squab on toast, with caper sauce) 

Puff Balls (potato puffs) 

Magic Molds 

(Molded tomato jelly in lettuce cups with mayonnaise) 

Conjurer's Cakes (Small fancy cakes with the signs of the 

zodiac drawn on the icing with egg yolk) 
Moonshine (this is the regular name of a delicious dessert) 
Elixir Vitee (coffee) 
The crepe paper vegetable mask adds a grotesque touch 
to the masquerade costume. 

Ghosts in the Cornfield 

The centerpiece represents a cornfield guarded by a 
grotesque scarecrow of cardboard and crepe paper. The 
corn shocks are made by sewing fringed corn husks to 
inverted cornucopias. Ghosts and witches are chasing one 
another through the cornfield, and pumpkin jack-o'-lan- 
terns are placed here and there. 

The favors are boxes representing cabbages, to each of 



320 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

which is attached a yellow ribbon ending in a cardboard 
pumpkin face. Fill the boxes with bonbons and candied 
fruits and ginger. The ice-cream course consists of 
" Hallowe'en Sundaes." These are orange ice cream over 
which is poured maple sirup and chopped nuts. They are 
decorated with walnut meats and black cats mounted on 
wires. 

The Tug-of-War Centerpiece 

" Tug-of-War Centerpiece " is made by placing in the 
middle of a long oval mat of moss and lichens a hollowed- 
out cabbage filled with brown-crash bags of nuts, each bag 
having features cut from black passe-partout binding and 
pasted on, and the tops cut in points to represent ears. In 
each bag is a fortune. From the base of the cabbage on 
each side run yellow ribbons, held respectively by witches 
and ghosts in attitudes that suggest a tug-of-war. These 
creatures are cut from Hallowe'en crepe paper and 
mounted on cardboard, Down the back of each is pasted 
a paper-wound wire coiled into a standard at the foot. 
This is covered with a second figure, pasted wrong side 
out. When thoroughly dry the markings show through 
enough so they can be traced with a large soft pencil, so 
the effect will be practically the same on both sides. 

At each plate you might have one of the " Ghosties," 
a meat-skewer and peanut head doll, with the skirt cover- 
ing a big red apple, which, of course, is to be pared and 
the peel thrown over one's shoulder at the close of the 
meal. It would also be a good idea to have a card bearing 
the guest's name placed in the ghost's fingers. 

To serve at this table you might have the following: 

Chicken Sand Witches 

Elfin Pickles Ghostly Ice Cream 

Devil's Food Brown Brew 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 321 

The Terraced-Garden Table 

A most unusual table is the terraced-garden one, with its 
funny bogy people holding ice-cream cups. 

A square table is covered smoothly with green cambric 
to represent a lawn. Around the edge is pinned a strip 
of cardboard, on which is pasted a fence cut from crepe 
paper in a Hallowe'en design. Two boxes of different 
sizes are similarly treated and placed one upon the other 
in the center of the table to form terraces. They are dec- 
orated with prepared peppergrass and princess pine and 
several kinds of small artificial flowers. The ornamental 
trees, which suggest clipped cedars, are easily made of 
fringed tissue-paper disks of graduated sizes, strung upon 
heavy wires. 

The Witches' Well 

A novel decoration which also provides a great deal of 
amusement is the " Witches' Well." A piece of card- 
board is used for the foundation of the well. Cut a hole 
in the lid of the box and place stones around the box in 
the shape of a well. Print on a card the following verse : 

The well of the witches is sure to tell 

The name of your husband and fortune as well. 

Write a fortune for each of the guests, fasten it to a 
fishline tied to a fishing rod made of a skewer, and drop 
into the hole in the lid of the box. The fish poles are 
held up by pumpkin candy-box favors which are made to 
represent little men. 

Hallowe'en Salad 

To make Hallowe'en salad remove the stems from as 
many large chrysanthemums as there are to be guests 



322 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

and arrange on individual plates with a garnish of leaves. 
Sprinkle with French dressing, and in the heart of each 
blossom place a bogy head, shaped from cream cheese 
mixed with mayonnaise and ground nut meats, and with 
" olive " features pressed into the surface. The flower 
petals may be pulled off and eaten, as well as the cheese 
mixture. One cheese makes two portions. 

Hallowe'en Ice 

For Hallowe'en Ice, orange-and-pistachio ice is served 
in a sundae glass placed on a " doily " of autumn leaves. 
It is garnished with pecan meats and topped with a bogy- 
head taper holder in which burns a green candle. With 
the Hallowe'en Ice the ever-popular Lollipop, decorated 
Hallowe'en cakes, and Moonface Cookies may be served. 
Nuts, citron, candies, and chocolate and white icing are 
used for the decoration of these Hallowe'en cakes and add 
to the attractiveness. 

The lollipop is dressed in a paper hat and ruff and stuck 
in a Hallowe'en cake, which may be decorated with icing, 
or finy cones, obtainable from any first-class confectioner 
or caterer. 

The Spooky Ghost Table with Yellow Moons 

The table of the ghosts is covered with black percaline, 
with a border of black bats against orange moons. A mir- 
ror plateau covered with autumn leaves occupies the cen- 
ter of the table. From it rises a tall, thick, yellow candle 
around which white cardboard ghosts dance weirdly. Dif- 
ferent-sized tissue-paper disks in all the autumn colorings 
— red, green, yellow, russet, orange — are arranged 
around the centerpiece, and on some of them are placed 



THE HALLOWE'EN PARTY 323 

silver dishes filled with bonbons, nuts, olives, etc. The 
place cards are yellow paper scrolls held by ghosts of 
smaller size. 

To make the centerpiece of ten ghosts clasping hands 
cut a pattern for one and lay on a piece of stiff white 
paper folded back and forth nine times the width of the 
ghost. Cut out the same way that dolls are cut from 
paper to amuse children. The place where the hands are 
supposed to be joined should not, of course, be cut through, 
and in this way the ghosts will all be fastened together 
ready for your centerpiece, except the two end ones, and 
a piece of paper might be pasted on to hold these two to- 
gether. Black pencil dots mark the holes for eyes, or a 
perforation might be made for the eyeballs, permitting the 
candle light to show through. 

The smaller ghosts for place-cards should be cut out 
separately and eyes marked on them. Hands should also 
be drawn on and then clipped partly out with small scis- 
sors to make a place for the scroll place-card to be held. 
A stiff piece of cardboard might be pasted on the back of 
the ghost to make it stand up like a paper doll. 

A GoBLiNTOWN Centerpiece 

For the central feature of this centerpiece choose a 
squash or a pumpkin that will be a good shape for a house, 
with a stem to represent a chimney at the top. Cut doors 
and windows, hang lace-paper curtains at the windows and 
surround the base of the house with artificial grass. At 
each side might be a paling fence made of cardboard 
painted a light green, over which vines may be trained. 
At the top of each section of fence a black cat cut-out 
might be placed. Hallowe'en figures may be placed about 
the front door. Inside the house might be small favor§ 
wrapped in yellow and green paper. 



324 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

All Aboard for Spooktown Centerpiece 

A squash with a crooked neck might be used for an auto- 
mobile. A slice should be cut off the bottom to make it 
set level, and on the front, where the stem curves up, two 
grinning pumpkin faces should be placed for headlights. 
The inside should be hollowed out and shaped as nearly as 
possible like an automobile, with a little lower opening 
for the door. Inside make a pasteboard steering wheel 
and have a goblin for a chauffeur, and in the back seat 
place a witch with her black cat perched on back. The 
wheels may be slices of orange about half an inch thick 
and the car arranged on scarlet maple leaves. 

The Goblintown and Spookville idea may be carried out 
in the decorations by having the candlesticks dressed in 
spooky and goblinlike fashion. One way to do this is to 
dress a candlestick in a fancy crepe-paper dress, while the 
shade, which may be made of plain crepe paper, is marked 
with the features of a face or a " pumpkin-head." The 
candle serves as a neck. 

Square spaces might be cut out of the sides of boxes 
and lined with crepe paper in Hallowe'en design. These 
boxes may be hung by wires over electric lights, or may be 
used the same as Japanese lanterns, if care is taken to 
havg the candle fixed securely to the center gf the box, 



CHAPTER XVII 

FOR THANKSGIVING AND OTHER 
AUTUMN DAYS 

A Harvest Freak Party 

Let your guests have the fun of guessing vi^hat you mean 
by your invitation to your Harvest Freak Party. Hold 
it some November evening and trim your tables, rooms 
and piazzas with autumn leaves and flowers, and by taste- 
ful arrangement of baskets of fruit and bunches of grapes 
suggest the beauty and bounty of the harvest season. 

The freak part will be a mystery until you explain it and 
prepare your guests for an hour or more of pure fun. 
Have prepared a shelf, covered with a curtain, and, after 
preparing and mystifying your company by an address 
which must conform, naturally, to such freaks as you have 
prepared, draw back the curtain. You can have a boat, 
labeled " The May Flower," made from a large yellow 
banana, with a decided stem, the latter being used as a 
prow. Cut a slice off the bottom so it will stand firm, 
or set it in sand, with a rock near by to represent " Ply- 
mouth Rock." Two pencils with bits of silk or paper 
make masts and sails. A primitive bird, the Lallapaloosa, 
may be made by using a summer squash and a turnip. 
The squash makes the body, the turnip the head and a 
stalk of celery makes a tail. Buttons may be used for 
eyes. The most comical combinations suggest themselves 
as one engages in this fascinating amusement. 
32s 



326 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Provide for the assembly plenty of all kinds of vege- 
tables, bunches of grass, buttons to be used as eyes, corn 
tassels and husks, sharp knives, balls of twine and scissors, 
and set them at work on freaks — your own being just for 
use as patterns or suggestions. Some remarkable combina- 
tions are sure to be evolved, and occasionally some artistic 
and ingenious mind puts together a work that may be a 
" classic." 

On page 330 you will see a row of quaint and curious 
figures — the Puritan housewife with her pumpkin pie, 
one of the Pilgrim Fathers bringing in his wild turkey for 
the Thanksgiving feast, an Indian, a corn-husk doll, a 
mounted steed, a farmer who stares as if he were having 
his picture taken, a squirrel, and, last of all, the Thanks- 
giving turkey — and all these are made of peanuts, corn 
husks, sweet potatoes and bits of paper. Don't you see 
how the making of these figures might easily prove to be 
one of the diversions of the evening? The pumpkin-and- 
corn centerpiece and candlestick are good suggestions in 
case you wish to add just these decorations to your table 
without carrying out any special scheme. 

Offer a prize for the most original freak, the homeliest 
one, the prettiest and the one using the largest number 
of the various fruits and vegetables. Let the prizes be 
awarded by vote. It is the most satisfactory method. 

Another means of amusement which can be used in 
connection with this entertainment is a guessing contest. 
Guess the number of seeds in an apple, in a pumpkin 
or a squash ; the number of grapes in a bunch ; the number 
of apples in a peck; the weight of various fruits, and 
other curious guessing queries which all pertain to the 
harvest season. 

The evening will pass swiftly and might be closed by 
refreshments, all of which should pertain to fruits and 



FOR AUTUMN DAYS 327 

harvest bounties. Cakes could be made for the occasion, 
and ice cream also in shapes of fruit or vegetables. 

A Chestnut Party 

Each guest was invited to a " Chestnut Party " at the 

home of Mr. and Mrs. , and the end of the invitation 

read: " Come prepared to read, speak, sing or play some 
' chestnut.' " You can imagine the fun that followed and 
the interesting program. One good-natured man played 
" Home Sweet Home " on the mouth organ, one couple 
sang " Silver Threads Among the Gold," one lady played 
the piano for the whole crowd to sing " Old Black Joe," 
and a real jolly young man started to speak a piece and 
forgot; he said that was the biggest chestnut he knew of. 

The house was decorated with chestnut leaves and 
burrs. The place-cards were chestnut leaves cut out of 
green paper with chestnuts glued on. Chestnuts in vari- 
ous ways were served as part of the refreshments. 

There were lively guessing contests. One prize was the 
book, " Opening of a Chestnut Burr," by E. P. Roe, and 
the " booby " prize was a box of chestnuts. 

Another way to arrange for an evening with " chest- 
nuts " is to send the following invitation : 

Haste away in mirth and glee, 

And come to the Sign of the Chestnut Tree 

Of course curiosity will be aroused, and those who re- 
spond to the invitation will find themselves in a room 
where stands the " Chestnut Tree." This is a large, leaf- 
less bough, and from its branches hang countless little 
brown packages the size of chestnuts. 

When all have arrived the guests are each bidden to 
pick off a " nut." When the nuts are unwrapped they 



328 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

prove to be squares of brown tissue paper, in each of 
which is a slip bearing the name of a poem or piece of 
music whose old age entitles it to the appellation of 
" Chestnut." Requests to play " Robin Adair," sing " Sil- 
ver Threads Among the Gold," or read " Curfew Shall 
Not Ring Tonight " are some of the well-known selec- 
tions. The chairman of the committee announces that 
each will be required to render the song, recitation or 
instrumental music specified, books having been provided 
so that lack of memory will be no excuse. 

It is permissible, however, for the guests to exchange 
" chestnuts " with one another before the program is 
called for. 

The guests may also be invited to go a-nutting and 
collect the names of nuts and fruits which are represented 
upon cards placed about the room. The names may be 
readily illustrated by pictures cut from magazines, and 
mounted upon red cards, or roughly sketched. The fol- 
lowing may be illustrated: Seashore (Beechnut), large 
box (Chestnut), stone wall (Walnut), girl making bread 
(Doughnut), woman churning (Butternut), girl serving 
cocoa (Cocoanut), the letter P and a can (Pecan), the 
figures 1492 and 1776 (Dates), a pine tree and an apple 
(Pineapple), two persons (Pear), a plumb line (Plum), a 
gauge colored green (Green Gage), a crab and an apple 
(Crab Apple), a straw and a berry (Strawberry). 

Partners may be secured by placing two large branches 
in the front of the room, one decorated with leaves of 
yellow paper, the other with red leaves. Each man pres- 
ent picks a yellow leaf, and each girl a red one. The 
leaves are correspondingly numbered. 

Ice cream with chestnut sauce, nut cakes, nut candies 
and salted nuts will be sufficiently elaborate for refresh- 
ments. 



FOR AUTUMN DAYS 329 



A Football Dinner 

Suspend over the center of the table a foot-ball, using 
the colors of the team. Beneath it arrange a mass of 
chrysanthemums. For favors use miniature foot-balls 
such as may be purchased. Place cards may be cut from 
brown cardboard in the shape of foot-balls. Ice cream 
may be moulded in the form of foot-balls and rolled in 
ground nuts and cocoa to give realistic effect. The fol- 
lowing menu could be served : 

Points (Blue Points) 

Goal Posts (Bread Sticks) 

Quarterback (Roast Quarter of Lamb) 

From the Gridiron (Broiled Sweet Potatoes) 

Rooters (Creamed Carrots) 

Footballs (Olives) 

Scrimmage (Macedoine Salad) 

Megaphones (Ice Cream in Cone Form) 

Necessary for a Successful Team (Ginger) 

Crossbars (Ladyfingers) 

Drops (Lime and Orange Drops) 

The Right End (to a Dinner) (Black Coffee) 



Thanksgiving Games 

Provide the guests with paper and pencil and have them 
each write a menu, the dishes of which should begin with 
the letters in the word " Thanksgiving." This is not so 
easy as it seems, and a sample menu should be given to 
convey the idea. It should be borne in mind that the 
dishes should as far as possible be of a character that 
would be in harmony with the usual dishes served on this 
holiday. 

The following menu is given as a sample : 



330 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

T — Turkey G — Grapes 

H — Ham I — Ices 

A — Apples V — Vanilla wafers 

N — Nuts I — • Indian corn 

K — Kale N — Neufchatel cheese 

S — Spaghetti G — Gherkins 



For What Should We Be Thankful? 

This is another game in which the letters in the word 
" Thanksgiving " are used. Paper and pencils are distrib- 
uted, and instructions given to write after the initial let- 
ters such blessings as are personally deemed best and 
which begin with the letters beginning the word " Thanks- 
giving." 

A few specimen blessings might be : 

T — Thought G — Grace 

H — Health I— Industry 

A — Ability V — Victuals 

N — New Friends I — Inventions 

K — Knowledge N — Nerve 

S — Sight G — Gold 

When all the lists have been completed the hostess, as- 
sisted by two guests, should collect the papers and check 
off the items. The single blessing which appears on the 
greatest number of papers will be conceded the blessing 
for which all should be most thankful. Then the hostess 
might offer a prize for the best four-line rime on this 
particular blessing, the rime to be written in five minutes. 

An Indoor Camping Party 

The invitation for the Indoor Camping Party may read 
as follows: 







df 


E2^ 


^jIHUp* 




d 


'1 




w 




m 




^; \ 


1 


1* 


i 




ii 






1 




4i 


\ 




5 




4 . 





FOR AUTUMN DAYS 331 

" Come enjoy an Indoor Camping Party with us. Have 
a hike through the woods, fish, shoot, and see the swimming 
match." The place, hour and date of the party should 
appear in the lower left-hand corner of the card. 

Decorate the rooms with evergreen boughs, or autumn 
leaves. Cover the floor with brown paper to suggest the 
ground, provide hammock, lawn swings, camp chairs and 
plenty of bright colored cushions. 

The " sports " may follow one another, as a program, 
or they may be held in different parts of the room, the 
guests going from one to the other as he or she may fancy. 

For Fishing " The Aquatic Wedding " may be used, 
each guest who fills in the blanks correctly receiving a 
toy fish. 

One corner of the room, screened or curtained off, is 
devoted to a hike through the woods, and here are ar- 
ranged samples of wood such as may be obtained from a 
paint shop, stained in cherry, walnut, light oak, etc. 
" The hiker " who correctly names each variety, may re- 
ceive a wooden toy as a reward. 

The " shooting " contest is especially entertaining, and 
this should take place in an adjoining room. Make a 
target with a number of circles numbered from one to 
fifteen, while instead of bow and arrow, the darts obtain- 
able at a ten cent store may be used. A record should be 
kept of the number of the circle which is hit, and a cor- 
responding stunt should he required of the marksman. 
For example, the one who hits number 10 should be 
required to wear a feather in his or her hair, number 8 
requires the archer to wear a paper cap, etc. 

If the entertainment is given for money raising pur- 
poses, a tree may be used instead of the target, and a girl 
in Indian costume may be in charge. Hang parcels of 
different size and shape upon the tree, and charge five 



332 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

cents for shooting, the marksman being permitted to keep 
the parcel which is hit. It should be permissible, if the 
first shot is a failure, to keep on, until some package is hit. 

The " swimming " match will naturally arouse curiosity, 
and each one who is permitted to pass behind the curtain 
must promise not to reveal to the rest of the guests the 
nature of the exhibition. In reality the " swimming " 
match is an ordinary match floating in a bowl of water. 

Refreshments should be of a " camp " character, a good 
menu comprising corned beef sandwiches, baked beans, 
brown bread, fruit, gingerbread, pie and coffee. After 
these have been enjoyed, camp songs may be sung, and 
campfire stories told. If it is desirable to provide favors, 
miniature bean pots filled with candy in imitation of 
baked beans may be obtained. 

A Rural Picnic Indoors 

The following is an account of how a Senior Class en- 
tertained the Juniors, but the ideas may readily be adapted 
by any other classes wishing to entertain. 

The following notice for the Seniors was placed on the 
bulletin board early in the week. 

Seniors Attention, ! 

Meet Friday evening at R. F.'s home 
Hayrack will be there at 7 :oo o'clock 
To take us to H. W.'s home in the country. 

The following Wednesday morning the President of the 
Junior class found this note on his desk when he arrived 
at school : 

A Rural Party 

Friday Evening, May . 

Conveyance leaves school building at 7:30 and returns at 11 :oo. 



FOR AUTUMN DAYS 333 

Friday evening at precisely 7.30 a hay wagon duly 
decorated drew up at the appointed place and thirty happy 
Juniors scrambled for seats. The driver took them around 
the city and when the Juniors were wondering why he did 
not start for the country, the wagon stopped before R. F's 
home where the Seniors had gathered at 7.00 o'clock. 
Instantly the door opened and out came the Seniors, 
dressed as mother, father, children, milk maids, farm- 
hands, goose girls and all, to greet the guests. 

Then they must rest before they walk around the farm ; 
but soon all felt able to undertake the walk. They were 
conducted downstairs and visited the stables, pig-pen, fields 
and orchard, all of which had been neatly arranged in 
different corners of the room, toy animals and sand boxes 
being used. The walk in this room ended by passing 
through the milk-house, where all were refreshed with 
sweet milk or buttermilk and ginger cookies. 

When leaving the milk-house, which had been placed in 
an arch-way, they entered a room well filled with palms 
on either side, which represented a country lane. At the 
farther end stood a mail box which contained a letter for 
each Junior, though addressed as. Miss Slim, Mr. Heavy- 
weight, Miss Soberside, et cetera. Some one had to call 
each letter as the address was called, and invariably the 
most smiling countenance would appear and ask for Miss 
Soberside. Much laughter ensued when the letters were 
opened and contents noted. Each letter informed the re- 
ceiver of a stunt he was required to do, as 

No. I. — Miss Day-Dreams. Find a box of blocks and 
build a castle. 

No. 2. — Miss Soberside. Find water, soap, bubble pipe 
and be happy. 

Ten minutes were given to find the articles which had 



334 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

been concealed in different rooms. A bell called all to- 
gether and the fun began. 

After all the stunts had been performed, a picnic dinner 
was served in the room of palms, all sitting on the floor 
in true picnic fashion. This consisted of brown-bread 
sandwiches, potato salad, iced tea, lemon ice, angel cake 
and salted nuts. When dinner was over all present were 
given a tiny basket and told that the eggs must be gath- 
ered. A search revealed the fact that eggs were " After 
Dinner Mints." The baskets were favors. 

An Indoor Picnic 

The following invitation may be used for the indoor 
picnic : 

The Senior class your presence implores 
At a picnic that's going to be held indoors. 
We'll look for jjour coming with great expectation. 
And hope you-'ll say " yes " to our invitation. 

To transform a gymnasium or other large room into a 
" picnic ground " procure small evergreen trees and plant 
them in pails or firkins of sand, covering the latter with 
green burlap. Blue paper run " crisscross " overhead will 
suggest the sky, while cheap green cotton material may 
be used as the " greensward." Potted ferns and blossom- 
ing plants will add to the effect. If the party is to be a 
class affair each Senior may invite a Junior, and bring 
also a basket containing sufficient luncheon for two. If 
the entertainment is for money-raising purposes dainty 
baskets or boxes of luncheon may be sold at auction. 

For the first game " Remnant Stakes " may be used. 
Each Senior may be given a piece of colored material, 
and the Juniors be supplied with envelopes containing cor- 



FOR AUTUMN DAYS 335 

responding materials. At a given signal the Juniors rush 
toward the Seniors, match their materials and return with 
their partners to a winning post. There should, of course, 
be many shades of the same color, so that the matching 
may not be so easy. 

" Getting the Animals Ready for the Ark " is very en- 
tertaining, and for this contest all the players should be 
blindfolded. Each person could be assigned the name of 
an animal whose call he or she is to imitate, and at the 
word " sing " they make their respective noises and in 
this manner find partners. No bandages are removed 
until the pair actually touch each other. 

A " Wheelbarrow " Race will provide a great deal of 
amusement. Procure several toy wheelbarrows, and set 
up a stake as a goal post. Provide each contestant with a 
wheelbarrow, and blindfold him or her, the object of the 
contest being to propel the wheelbarrow to the goal. If 
there are but few guests one wheelbarrow will be quite 
sufficient. 

A Harvest Salmagundi 

If you are looking for something really novel by way 
of entertainment why not try a " Harvest Salmagundi " ? 
Unless you have really attended an affair of this kind you 
have no idea what fun it is. This one was given by a 
young people's society. 

First of all the rug in the social hall was removed. 
Then a great load of cornstalks, contributed by a local 
farmer, was brought in ; the floor was covered with them ; 
they were tied into stacks and set up about the room. 
Pumpkins, scraped and made into jack-o'-lanterns, were 
set here and there. The center electric light was covered 
with yellow crepe paper. 

This " Harvest Salmagundi " was planned for forty- 



336 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

eight guests. Twelve small tables or stalls were arranged 
about the room and numbered. Cards, previously sketched 
by an artistic member, were given out. At the top of 
each, " Couple i, Table i," etc., was vi^ritten. Partners 
found, the fun began. A five-minute time limit was set 
for each progression. If, however, you wish to lengthen 
your evening make the time ten minutes. The tables 
were arranged as follows: 

1st — Peanut Jab 7th — Korn-Kernel Kontest 

2d — Puzzling Peter 8th — Peanut Pitch 

3d — Apple Antics 9th — Bean Bother 

4th — Raisin Rush loth — Apple Aggravation 

5th — Apple Duck nth — Pumpkin-Pie Pictures 

6th — A Pare of Apples 12th — Seed Scramble 

In cold print the twelve subjects above may not look 
interesting. In reality, taken together, they consist of an 
evening's uninterrupted pleasure: 

Peanut Jab. — A large agate dish containing several 
dozen peanuts is placed in the center of the table. Each 
player is given a hat pin, also a small agate pan in which 
to drop all nuts secured. A bell rings. The play is on. 
The couple that has secured the greatest number of pea- 
nuts before the closing signal has its card punched and 
progresses to 

Puzzling Peter. — Here the players find two large en- 
velopes in which are small pieces of cardboard. Rightly 
put together they form an amusing picture of the famous 
Peter of nursery rime. The couple whose puzzle is first 
put together moves on to 

Apple Antics. — This is simply an apple tied on a 
string, the old-time Hallowe'en amusement. The players' 
hands are tied behind their backs. The first two who 
succeed in biting the apple proceed to the 



FOR AUTUMN DAYS 337 

Rai^n Rush. — At this table there is one raisin, tied in 
the center of a three-foot-long string, for each couple. 
The object is to see which one of each couple reaches the 
raisin first and eats it. If you can picture a man and a 
maid at this ridiculous performance, and the maid torn 
between the desire to capture the raisin and elude the 
man's mouth, you can see what fun would ensue. Of 
course the two successful ones proceed to 

Apple Duck. — A large pan of water about five inches 
deep holds four floating apples, for which contestants 
" duck." The winners pass on to 

A Pare of Apples. — Here the contestants are given a 
gingham apron, a small knife and an apple apiece. The 
two who succeed in cutting the longest parings proceed 
to the 

Korn-Kernel Kontest. — An ear of corn with uneven 
rows of kernels is placed in the center of the table. Each 
contestant is given a chance to turn over the ear but is 
not to remove it from the table. The object is to see 
who can guess the nearest to the exact number of kernels 
on the ear. Of course these must have been previously 
counted by the master of ceremonies. And, too, each 
contestant must whisper the count to the master of cere- 
monies, thus making the affair very mysterious. The 
two who are successful proceed to a 

Peanut Pitch. — Here each contestant is furnished with 
an ordinary tea knife. On the table are four small agate 
pans. About twelve feet from the table is a pile of pea- 
nuts on the floor. The object is to see how many peanuts 
each person can lift from the floor with the knife, being 
careful not to touch them with fingers, carry them over to 
the table, then pitch them into the pan. The pans are 
numbered i, 2, 3, 4. Each contestant must drop the pea- 
nuts into his own pan. Should he do otherwise the count 



338 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

goes to the pan into which they fall. The two who have 
the greatest number to their credit proceed to 

Bean Bother. — A deep agate pan is in the center of the 
table. On the table, before each player, is a pile of beans. 
These beans have numbers inked on them : i, 2, 3, 4. Each 
player is furnished with two toothpicks. At the signal 
the players try to lift a bean between the two toothpicks 
and carry it to the pan. The two carrying thus the highest 
number progress to 

Apple Aggravation. — This is simply a parody of the 
old-time potato race. Four rows of six apples each are 
laid on the floor. Each player is given a knife. The 
apples are to be lifted from the floor to the table and 
dropped into a pan. The two finishing in the shortest 
space of time progress to 

Pumpkin-Pie Pictures. — Here each player is blindfolded 
and is given black and yellow crayons. A piece of wrap- 
ping paper is pinned before him on the wall and he is 
given directions to draw a picture of a pumpkin pie. 
The two doing the best work, which is, by the way, 
judged by a committee of two, progress to a 

Seed Scramble. — This scramble was held in a little 
room off the social hall. Each player was given a small 
pan and told to hunt for pumpkin seeds. The players 
finding the greatest number were adjudged the winners. 

The signal was given to stop. The cards, each with 
the owner's name on it, were collected. The lights were 
turned low. The grinning pumpkins laughed down and 
the yellow-draped chandelier gave forth a warm glow to 
the whole. 

After music, songs, and refreshments of pumpkin pie, 
brown bread and cheese sandwiches, cookies, crullers and 
coffee, this affair could well be voted a success. 

A new game of " Follow the Leader " will be another 



FOR AUTUMN DAYS 339 

good feature for such a party. All players must be fur- 
nished with drawing paper of uniform size and with 
pencils. The leader, who has been selected by the hostess, 
sits at the head of the half-circle formed by the players. 
With his paper in hand he draws and at the same time 
dictates a scheme of any description, which his followers 
must try to draw exactly as he dictates. He must dictate 
very slowly and give .every one enough time to draw in. 
If there are mountains in the picture he will tell how many 
peaks there are and the position on the paper, the direction 
they extend and all the minutest details concerning their 
appearance. If animals are drawn the kind and the posi- 
tion on the paper are all that it is necessary to tell. Many 
jokes on the company might be recalled and worked into 
these pictures. The results are always laughable. 

Did You Camp Last Summer? 

Then why not plan a reunion at Thanksgiving Time? 
You've probably had so many things to do since you came 
back that this month will be just about the right time to 
get the crowd together again. The campfire table would 
be just the thing in the way of decoration if you camped 
in the country or by stream. A camp kettle occupies the 
center of the table and forms a novel punch bowl, being 
filled with lemonade. An ordinary agate kettle covered 
on the outside with black crepe paper would do for this. 
It is surrounded with a loose wreath of pine tips and 
cones, and a large cone stands before each plate, to hold 
the place-cards. Paper plates and napkins, and steel 
cutlery add an appropriate touch, and the souvenirs are 
miniature bark canoes filled with small candies in the 
autumn tints. 

On the Harvest Supper table the old rail fence is cut 



340 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

from heavy gray cardboard, and the edge of the table is 
fringed with paper corn husks with an occasional " ear " 
cut from fancy crepe paper. The husks may be cut from 
plain tan or light green crepe paper. The ears of corn 
may be cut from fancy crepe paper in corn design. At 
one end of the fence is a shock of corn-stalks of crepe 
paper and some miniature pumpkins. Near the center and 
opposite end of the fence are nearly leafless shrubs repre- 
sented by twigs to which have been pasted tiny crepe 
paper leaves in bright autumn tints. Additional leaves 
are scattered beneath the shrubs, and here and there are 
placed barnyard fowls of terra cotta in lifelike positions 
and coloring. Pumpkin shaped boxes set in sprays of 
autumn leaves are used as favors. 



CHAPTER XVIII 
CHRISTMAS PARTIES 

Christmas Customs 

Christmas Eve, that " so hallowed and so gracious " 
time should be unusually impressive, v^ith its lighted 
candles and its carols. 

The burning of candles in the M^indows of the home is a 
growing custom, especially in New England, from two to 
eight being placed in every window. In the principal 
rooms the candles are arranged in two rows, one along 
the sill and the other across the window at the junction 
of the sashes. The holders are simple and inexpensive: 
just short strips of tin, one end bent up at right angles, 
trimmed to a point and the candle impaled upon it, and 
the other end bent down to slip between the sashes. 

CHURCH CHOIRS GO CAROLING 

There is nothing that can so quickly and far-reachingly 
spread and carry the joyous, message of Christmas to sad 
or lonely hearts as the strain of a Christmas carol borne 
on the stillness of the night. While automobiles and large 
trucks may be used to carry the groups from place to place, 
far more picturesque is the wandering group whose way is 
lighted only by torches or lanterns. 

THE GOOD NIGHT CANDLE 

The happiest Christmases are those that center around 
the family, and all family circles should be enlarged at this 
season, that " the solitary may dwell in families," although 
341 



342 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

that may not be the Inner meaning of those words. Where 
guests are being entertained, after the " stockings are 
hung by the chimney with care " the bedroom candles 
may be Hghted and a procession formed, which marches 
upstairs, pausing for a " Good night " at every door. Soon 
the last candle is extinguished, and 

... all through the house, 
Not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse. 

The custom of candle burning is a pleasant and a 
friendly one and should be widely adopted. The softly 
gleaming candles in the windows bespeak warmth and 
cheer within, and peace and good will to the passers-by. 

Christmas morning, especially where the home is blessed 
with children, with its sparkling tree and exchanging of 
gifts, supplies its own entertainment. Many families still 
like the old idea of the Christmas dinner in the middle of 
the day, and the merry party around the board is also 
likely to provide its own amusement. 

CHRISTMAS FAVOR PARTY 

For a " Christmas Favor Party " the invitations should 
read : " Will you favor me with your presence at a 
Christmas Favor Party ? " The hostess should prepare a 
number of cards decorated with holly seals and numbered 
from one up, to serve as " claim checks." The favors, 
which may be very inexpensive, are tagged with cards to 
correspond to the checks. The hostess provides a claim 
check and favor for each guest invited, and when the 
game is to commence an appointed " Official " counts the 
guests and distributes one check and one favor to each 
person. 

Every one moves about, presenting the favor he holds 
to every person he meets, asking: " Is this your favor?" 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 343 

Should the number correspond to the check he holds the 
person replies in the affirmative and shows the claim check. 
At the expiration of the time given for the search the 
bell is tapped and those holding " Unclaimed Favors " re- 
port to the " Official " vi^ho personally delivers them to 
their owners and suggests the forfeit. Those who rarely 
take part in games are pleasingly drawn into the merri- 
ment; for, although they may not join in the search, 
others are hunting for them. 

Favor Boxes 

Where there is seating room and refreshments are to be 
served a novel variation of the game is to substitute small 
boxes, to be called " Favor Boxes," instead of the fancy 
favors, tying these with holly ribbon or gold cord, each 
box to contain slices of cake, nuts and candies, wrapping 
each in waxed paper. When the game is ended and each 
person has his " Favor Box " the ice cream may be served 
and the contents of the box eaten with it, after which the 
boxes are removed on the plates. 

Christmas " Storm " 

Instead of a " Shower " why not a Christmas " Storm " ? 
This would be jolly for the girl who has announced her 
engagement. Make a large red bell with a divided floor. 

Wrap the gifts in white cotton batting, making them look 
as round and as much like snowballs as possible. These 
bundles are to be placed in the hollow bell, after which 
the bottom pieces are to be tied together with red ribbon. 
The bell is then suspended over a large table. Meanwhile 
place trays of white confetti high up on a shelf or book- 
case, with an electric fan immediately behind them. 

The guests being assembled, one of them, who may be 
dressed to impersonate the Christmas Spirit, recites : 



344 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

All kinds of presents now come in showers «^ 
Engaged girls' gifts and bridal dowers; 
But it doesn't take much wisdom to know 
That a Christmas shower should turn to snow. 

Here the electric fan should be turned on, causing the 
snow confetti to be blown about the room. 

In spring there are gentle showers 
That bring as their gifts a wealth of flowers; 
But, when our gifts we would bestow. 
We send them now in balls of snow. 

The bride-elect then pulls the ribbon which ties the 
bottom of the bell together, and the snowballs fall over 
the table. 



A " Firelight " or " Christmas Taper " Party 

The invitations may be uniquely indicative of the en- 
tertainment which they anticipate. The edges of the 
stationery are etched with tiny lighted candles ; the mono- 
gram at the top is incased in a wee holly wreath, and 
below is written: 

Come play with us 'neath the evergreen ; 

We'll eat in the candlelight; 
Then spin a yarn by the firelit screen, 

At eight on Christmas night. 

HOLLY REDS AND EVER GREENS 

As soon as the guests are assembled each is asked to 
choose from a basket a red or a green bow of ribbon. The 
company is thus divided into two clubs, " The Holly Reds " 
and " The Ever Greens," and these friendly opponents 
enter into contests. 

The Holly Reds are given a basket of red apples, and 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 345 

likewise the Ever Greens the same number of green ones. 
At a signal the apples are passed one at a time down the 
line through both hands of each member. If anyone 
fumbles and drops an apple the entire line has to start 
over, 

A Hoop Race follows this. There are two hoops 
wound respectively with red and green bunting. Again 
the contestants array themselves in two opposite lines, 
each leader holding a hoop above his head; at the same 
instant each is required to drop the hoop over his shoulders 
and pass through it with the entire body, allowing it to 
drop to the floor untouched, except by the next person in 
line, who must pick it up with all expedition and proceed 
as the first one. Of course the side that loses has ultra- 
sized persons who consume too much time. Any other 
games desired may be introduced. 

When scores are counted the Holly Reds or the Ever 
Greens pay the penalty of losing by donning caps and 
aprons and serving refreshments, while the other side 
rests and eats. Here is the menu: 

Rolled Minced Turkey Sandwiches 

(tied with red and green ribbon) 

Cranberry Marmalade (molded the shape of bells) 

Candlelight Salad Ice Cream 

(with a tiny frosted Christmas tree in the center) 

Fruit Cake Coffee 

Red and Green Mints 

CANDLELIGHT SALAD 

Now, perhaps, you will want to know how the Candle- 
light Salad is made. The' foundation (or candle holder) 
is a slice of pineapple. The taper is half a banana stuck 
in the center of the pineapple, with a bright cherry 
perched on the very top for a flame, from the center of 



346 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

which a tiny shred of cocoanut forms the " wick." The 
melted " wax " which trickles from the side is salad 
dressing. 

After the losing side has concluded its refreshments 
(in disgrace) all hold lighted candles over a bowl of ice 
water, and the shapes which are formed by the dripping 
wax on the surface foretell the fortunes for the forth- 
coming year. 

A delightful fireside pastime that would be enjoyed at a 
party of this kind has been described to me by a California 
friend. She writes that they are far from the land of 
snow, but it seems to go with the holidays of the winter 
months, so she planned to have some " snowballs." She 
went to a Japanese store (for they keep "fireworks" the 
year round) and bought a small can of red fire and one 
of green fire and a few small fireworks, like the snakes 
which come in tablet form. Then she made " snowballs " 
the regulation size, using a square of absorbent cotton, 
not too thick a layer, putting a teaspoonful of the powders 
in some, a " snake " tablet in others, sewed them in shape 
with needle and thread, and sprinkled the balls liberally 
with " snow powder." The balls are not solid but hollow, 
with the exception of the contents, which are light. Too 
much cotton smothers the powder. 

Toward the end of the evening the guests drew up 
around the big fireplace, with the lights out, and threw 
the " snowballs " into the fire one by one to watch them 
" melt," It was a pleasure to hear the Oh's ! and Ah's ! as 
the flames caught the " red fire " and the beautiful glow 
illuminated the room. The " green fire " was as great a 
surprise, and when the " snakes " came crawling out, and 
out, and out, they created quite a sensation. There is no 
danger with these things in a fireplace. 

This fireside party is equally appropriate for any even- 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 347 

ing of Christmas week, as are also the various games 
suggested. 

A Hearthstone Party 

But really you can't get much ahead of a Hearthstone 
Party around a glowing fire, for there is something in it 
for each and all. There's the chestnut and marshmallow 
roasting, the corn popping and story-telling for both little 
and big boys and girls ; there are the games to be played, 
like the Observation Game, made up with local questions, 
like " How many marble balls on top of the drinking 
fountain ? " " How many drug stores in town," etc. And 
for the last game try " The Parliamentary Speech." One 
leader starts a speech on, say, " Suffrage," for instance, 
and he has to be watched very closely, for when he throws 
out his left hand in gesticulation all must shout " Hear ! 
Hear ! " and when he throws out his right hand his hear- 
ers clap their hands; and for both hands thrown out to- 
gether they must both cheer and clap. How hard it is 
to remember what to do for each gesture ! And woe 
betide anyone who is heajd clapping while all the others 
are cheering, for he has to make the next speech. 

And then, if you have a phonograph it is nice to give 
everyone a list of the records you have and let each 
choose in turn which one shall be put on next, with a 
favorite vocal selection, in which all join, closing the 
evening. 

Christmas-Stocking Party 

Great fun for the youngsters is a children's " Christmas- 
Stocking Party." The invitations may be written on cards 
cut in the form of stockings. 

Filling the Christmas stocking is one of the games, and 
for this purpose a number of stockings should be cut from 



348 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

heavy red paper. Cut the paper double, leavhig the back 
part of the leg and the back part of the heel uncut. Then 
on the outside of the stocking should be written the name 
of one of the children. Have in readiness several pairs of 
scissors, paste and old magazines. Give each child a 
stocking bearing another name than his or her ow'n, and 
tell him or her to fill it vv^ith presents for the one whose 
name is on the outside. 

Filling the stockings consists in cutting from the maga- 
zines pictures of presents and pasting them on the inside 
of the stocking. When all the stockings have been filled 
each may be handed to its owner, wh^o must then tell what 
gifts his stocking contains. 

Yule Log Toss 

Following this game, as a surprise, a Yule log may be 
tossed into the room. This is a big bundle carefully tied 
and is caught by any one alert enough to get it. The 
catcher undoes the outer wrapper and discloses some in- 
expensive gift and another wrapping paper. He then 
tosses it up again, to be caught by some one else. There 
are supposed to be as many wrappings and gifts as there 
are children present. 

After the little folks have " quieted down " the lights 
may be lowered and all the guests may gather around the 
fireplace to see the fireside dance of the Christm-as fairies. 
The fairies are none other than dolls made from rolled 
and tied handkerchiefs, and they are made to dance in the 
following manner : Coarse black thread is tied to the very 
top of each doll's head and the ends passed over a chande- 
lier or a curtain pole between two rooms, the ends being 
long enough to reach to persons seated in each room. 
Black cambric is placed beneath the dolls, and the light 
of a single candle should fall upon the little figures. The 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 349 

dolls dance to lively music, and whenever the player stops 
the dolls should promptly drop to the floor as if exhausted. 

Christmas Post Office 

A " Christmas Post Office " is a good plan either for 
distributing the Christmas gifts or for a jolly Christmas 
party. Arrange the post office at the end of a room. It 
will provide good work for the boy of the house. 

When all is ready a sign, " Mail Open," may be hung 
on the door, and the guests may then enter the post-office 
room. This should be dimly lighted, while a bright light 
shines behind the box'es. The postmaster is seen moving 
about, sorting the mail and placing the packages in the 
boxes. As a package is placed in the box it may be 
claimed at once by the " box-holder having the same num- 
bered check." There may be a wait for several minutes 
with all the boxes empty, and packages may then be placed 
in several boxes at once. The hostess may provide inex- 
pensive little gifts, or each guest may be requested to bring 
a five-cent or a ten-cent gift for one of the others. 

Christmas Cobwebs 

For a little girl's Christmas party it is a pretty plan to 
make a new adaptation of the old " cobweb " idea, and on 
one end of a red string tie a paper doll, and on the other 
end, which she finds after much following of the turnings 
of the string, the doll's outfit, to be cut out. These sets 
may be bought for about ten cents at Christmas time. 

A Firelight Supper 

On the last evening of the holiday week a firelight sup- 
per around the open fire, turning it into a New Year's Eve 
party if you wish, is one of the coziest, homiest kinds of 
parties. After the supper there could be introduced a 



350 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

quaint Armenian custom, by placing a row of small candles 
on the hearth, one candle for each guest. Each person 
will in turn light a candle, and while it is burning tell a 
Christmas legend or story. In fact it would be a good 
idea to ask the guests to come prepared with Christmas 
legends, or, instead of stories, the guests could relate in 
turn the greatest pieces of good luck which have befallen 
them during the year p'ast. 

A Christmas-Tree Party 

Young people are always enthusiastic over the prospect 
o«f trimming Christmas trees, and the following plan was 
evolved for a party of eighty or more school girls, where 
it was njot possible to buy enough trees to supply work for 
them all. It was decided that the tallest and largest of 
the girls would make most effective substitutes. Nine of 
the girls were chosen and warned that on the day of the 
party, by some sort of magic, they would be turned into 
trees. Each one was assigned one of the letters of the 
word CHRISTMAS, and given a cardboard bell bear- 
ing the letter. 

Every girl who came to. the party was bidden to bring, 
carefully wrapped up, a present, something she had made 
herself, the cost of which should not exceed ten cents. 
Curiously enough in all that large number there were not 
a great many duplicates. 

There were calendars of various kinds made from post 
cards, fancy cards, hand-painted cards and kodak pictures. 
• There were memorandum cases made of small pads with 
pencils attached. There were dolls made out of clothes- 
pins and dressed with crepe paper. There were Christmas 
bells and stockings filled with trinkets. 

As each guest arrived she was given a large red candle 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 351 

cut from cardboard and so fastened with red raffia that it 
could be worn as a diadem. On it was a number and one 
of the letters corresponding to the letters on the trees, 
thus: iC, 5H, 3R, etc., there being perhaps ten candles 
for every tree. To each was also handed a green tag with 
one of these numbers on it, which indicated the person to 
whom her present was to be directed. 

Attracting as little attention as possible while the party 
was assembling, the " trees " stationed themselves at 
various places about the room, putting on their heads 
closely-fitting green caps, with a red taper effect, for the 
very top of the tree. And they hung their letter-bearing 
placards around their necks. 

The hostess for the afternoon then jingled some sleigh 
bells, and all their attention was turned to her. She ex- 
plained that the committee had got some especially rare 
varieties of Christmas trees for this party and that the 
girls who wore candles corresponding in letters to those 
worn by the trees, which they would find round about the 
room, were to trim that tree with the material given them, 
and that the work must be finished in twenty minutes from 
the time they received their trimmings. 

The girls as quickly asi possible sought out their par- 
ticular trees and waited for the box of trimmings. Open- 
ing it, they found two rolls of green crepe paper, strings 
of tinsel, two bags of pop corn, needles and thread, candles 
and holders, and little boxes made from cardboard and 
covered with red and green crepe paper frilled at the top. 
It was certainly some sort of magic that made those girls 
grasp the idea so quickly and effectively that they were to 
" dress up " their classmate to represent a Christmas tree. 
Some at once began to string pop corn, some to cut and 
adjust the crepe paper. It was a very jolly crowd that 
worked busily all around the room. 



352 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

At the end of the twenty minutes most of the girls were 
standing off gazing with joy at their own handiwork. One 
group grasped hands and began circling around the tree 
singing the old favorite, " Oh, Christmas Tree ! Oh, 
Christmas Tree! How bright and fair thy branches 
be ! " — and never had branches been more fair. All 
soon joined in and the old gymnasium resounded with 
holiday enthusiasm and gayety. It was a lovely sight to 
see the various groups with the gay-colored headdresses 
and the festive trees. 

The presents brought by the girls had been tied on the 
various trees, and, since the magic had not been great 
enough to allow the trees to walk without disturbing their 
trimmings, the girls had to march around and find the 
presents addressed to them. The role of the Christmas 
tree was not a particularly enviable one, but the actors 
were very agreeable about standing more or less still while 
they were being searched for presents. The packages 
gleefully opened up and examined, the girls knew that the 
boxes held still more surprises for them. At the sugges- 
tion that the trees be relieved of these extra burdens, they 
each sought out a box and immediately began to appease 
the after-school appetite. The boxes were generously 
filled with cakes, candies, nuts and fruit wafers. A wand 
was waved once again over the Christmas trees and they 
became human, with girls' fondness for Christmas gifts 
and goodies. They lost no time in finding their rations 
in the prize packages and joining the now silent but busy 
merrymakers. 

A Christmas Souvenir Picture 

The hostess may tell her guests that instead of having 
all their pictures taken by flashlight she has decided to ask 
them to leave with her pictures of themselves taken by 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 353 

each other as souvenirs of the occasion. She must pre- 
viously have asked all her friends to bring other post- 
card pictures of themselves or snapshots. 

Secure a piece of wrapping paper four feet long and 
two feet wide, spread it on a table, and draw a large 
mountain on it, and at the foot of the mountain a lake, 
then put in trees and grass and a blue sky. 

Next take old magazines and cut out pictures of men, 
women and children, dress suits and pretty frocks, birds, 
animals, airships, boats, men fishing, swimming and riding 
horseback. Also pictures of automobiles and motorcycles. 

Place on the table a bottle of library paste and a pair 
of scissors, also the pile of cut-out pictures. 

When the guests are all assembled explain to them that 
you are going to have a neighborhood picture and each of 
them is to help build it. Take their photographs and lay 
them on the table by the cut-out pictures. Tell them to 
take turns at the picture until it is finished. 

Mr. Jones will commence. He knows Mr. Anderson is 
building an airship, so he takes one from the pile of cut- 
outs and pastes it in the sky on the big picture. He then 
cuts Mr. Anderson's picture from the snapshot and pastes 
him in the airship. 

Mr. Anderson now has a turn at Mr. Jones, who, he 
knows, is in love with a young lady present. He fishes 
around in the cut-outs till he finds a picture of a man 
kneeling in front of a lady proposing. He then takes the 
scissors and removes the man's head, pastes him, proposing 
as he is, on the big picture, and then cuts the head of Mr. 
Jones from a post card, and pastes it on the body of the 
kneeling man. There are shouts of laughter at this, as it 
happens to be a side view. 

Next Miss Oliver takes the chair and draws from the 
pile of photographs Mr. Smith, who is very enthusiastic 



354 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

about motor boats. His photograph is a snapshot lying 
in a hammock. She cuts the hammock out and pastes 
it between two trees on the big picture. He is smoking a 
pipe and she draws in the smoke a dream he is having of 
a motor boat with himself and a girl in it. He gets up 
and cuts her head from a snapshot and gallantly pastes it 
over the face of the dream girl. This causes shouts and 
laughter. 

Mrs. Brown now takes the chair and draws from the 
pile of photographs her neighbor's grown son, who is a 
great fisher. She cuts his head from a post card and 
pastes it on the body of a small boy who has just caught a 
trout from the lake on the big picture. The grown head 
on the small body is very laughable. 

A road is made down the mountainside and automobiles, 
carriages and motorcycles are made to come down the 
road. Many of the photographs are made so they could 
be cut out and pasted right on, such as groups of people 
in boats and some horseback pictures, and the like. 

Birds are pasted on the picture in the sky and on the 
trees, fish are pasted in the lake and wild game on the 
mountainside, and animals all through the picture. There 
is a fox chasing chickens, and a dog after a rabbit. 

Everyone is pictured out in some very ridiculous fashion 
in combination with the original picture and the cut-outs. 

The cut-outs are used for swimming, boating, riding, 
dining and playing ball. The building of the picture is 
great fun and keeps the guests in gales of laughter. The 
picture is then tacked up and a prize offered for the best 
name. 

A Christmas-Star Party 

First, the invitations: A five-pointed star was cut from 
red sheet celluloid, the sole decoration being a gold sticker 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 355 

in the center with gold lines radiating from it done in 
gold ink. The invitation was written on the white inside 
leaf thus: 

" Star, Star, beautiful star, 

Leading the Wise Men from afar"; 

Be wise and come 

Star Gazing, 

On the evening of December 22. 

at the home of 

Miss Mary Blank 

Upon arrival each guest was given a star upon which 
was written his or her name and company (the name of 
one of the planets), making six groups of planets in all). 
Each group then " got together " according to name of 
planet. It was announced that no introduction would be 
permitted; thus all formality was done away with and 
time was saved, as the evening was to be a very full one. 

Next, the decorations : Festoons of red cardboard stars 
strung on red cord were carried from the corners and 
sides of all the rooms to the chandelier and caught in the 
hands of a red-dressed Kewpie which swung underneath. 
In the dining room these strands of stars were carried to 
the four corners of the white covered dining table and 
caught with huge bows of red ribbon. During the first 
part of the evening this table was used to hold the punch 
bowl, where punch was served after the second game. 
The centerpiece was a large red cardboard star, in the 
center of which and under the bowl was a round mirror 
bordered with smilax. Sprays of holly were scattered 
over the cloth. Festoons of stars were draped over man- 
tel, doors, window, etc. The stars draped over the cur- 
tains were caught under a large star which had a number 
on the back, to be used later in the games. 



356 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Now for the games : First was a " Star Contest." 
Each guest was provided with a red program pencil and 
a booklet made of red cardboard, with a gold star in the 
center and above the words, in gold : " Star Contest." 
The back and leaves were held together by a bow of red 
ribbon at the back. The contest was as follows : 

I — A movie celebrity (Star). 2 — Backbone of a 
laundry (Starch). 3 — An English singer (Starling). 
4 — How does a rude person look? (Stare). 5 — What 
must one do to begin a work? (Start). 6 — When a 
sailor means right hand (Starboard). 7 — The end of 
Mother Hubbard's dog (Starvation). 8 — The descrip- 
tion of a dime novel (Startling). 

Next came a " Star Hunt." Small stars were cut from 
white cardboard, eight for each guest invited. Each of 
the stars bore the name of one of the planets and the stars 
were hidden about the rooms. Upon finding eight the 
guest must stop hunting. When all had been collected the 
one having the fewest duplicates received the prize. 

Next came the use of the large numbered stars, before 
mentioned, which, upon being " turned over," revealed the 
pictures of some prominent public persons. (These 
" photographs " can be found in penny pictures, and can 
represent art, music, etc.) Score according to number. 
Great was the merriment when Santa Glaus appeared upon 
one. This game was called " Political Stars." 

Now came the " Test in Astronomy." The young 
brother in the family appeared in a long black robe, pro- 
fusely decorated with gold and silver stars, and a tall 
pointed hat. He carried a wand, also a basket of star- 
shaped boxes filled with bonbons. Three of these he hung 
in the archway. Then each guest was blindfolded in turn 
and given a huge pair of scissors, while the Astrologer 
asked: "Do you see stars!" The guest then advanced 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 357 

to cut down a star, which became his upon his being suc- 
cessful. Two trials were permitted. The wild cuts in 
the air cause great fun. 

It was now time for the refreshments. Three groups 
of planets were asked to follow the "star" (a small girl 
dressed in white with red-star decorations and a star cap, 
and in her hand a large star above her head), which when 
th3y followed led them to the dining room. The punch 
bowl had been removed, also the smilax, and in their place 
around the mirror was banked white sheet wadding pro- 
fusely sprinkled with mica. Over the mirror (the ice) 
were small red-dressed dolls, one pulling a tiny sled, others 
sitting, running, etc., while in the distance over a bank of 
snow came Santa in his reindeer sled. Sandwiches, 
wrapped in white tissue and tied with red baby ribbon, 
chocolate, red fruit gelatine, and salted nuts in star-shaped 
cases furnished the menu. While these groups were be- 
ing served the other three planets were being entertained 
with music and another contest in the living room. A box 
of star sparkles was used in this contest. One was set 
afire, and the guests were to guess how long it would re- 
quire to burn. With the lights turned out it was very 
pretty. By this time the first group were ready to return 
to the living room, where they were entertained in, the 
same way while the second group were being served. The 
favors were star-shaped boxes of homemade candy. 

A Bell Party 

Who will be the belle of the Christmas-Bell Party? 
Any lady answering the greatest number of questions 
asked on words beginning with the letters b-e-1 ; or, any 
gentleman outguessing the fair contestant, may be privi- 
leged to crown one chosen by him as the favored one. 



358 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

The crown may be a tambourine with its jingling bells. 
Invitations may be issued on bell-shaped cards. 

1. Name a mythological god, also mentioned in the Scrip- 
tures. Bel. 

2. What nation has suffered almost complete annihilation 
in the present war ? Belgium. 

3. Name the goddess of war. Bellona. 

4. What king in ancient history reigned conjointly with 
his father? Belshazzar. 

5. Name a noted inventor. Alexander Graham Bell. 

6. Name an American Naval Officer. George E. Belknap. 

7. Name an American novelist. Lilian Bell. 

8. In what study did the poet Longfellow specialize? 
Belles-Letters. 

9. What characteristic has been exemplified by many 
European nations? Belligerent. 

10. At what place near Richmond were many Union 
prisoners confined during the Civil War? Belle-Isle. 

11. Name a city in Ireland. Belfast. 

12. What is the leader of a flock of sheep called? Bell- 
wether. 

13. Name a poisonous plant used as a medicine. Bella- 
donna. 

14. Name an important feature in a blacksmith shop. 
Bellows. 

15. Name a section of a steeple or tower. Belfry. 

16. Name a favorite in social circles. Belle. 

17. Give a synonym of pugnacious or warlike. Bellicose. 

18. What architectural name is synonymous with turret or 
cupola on a housetop ? Belvedere. 

19. Give a loud outcry. Bellow. 

20. What European capital has suffered during the present 
war ? Belgrade. 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 359 

BELL PROGRAM 

1. Piano Duet, "Monastery Bells" — Wely. 

2. Solo, " Christmas Chimes " — Brinley Richards. 

3. Recitation, " Bells Across the Snow " — F. R. Haver- 
gal. 

4. Solo, "Bells of Aberdovy" — Arranged from the 
Welsh by Brinley Richards. 

5. Reading, "The Bell of Atri " — Found in Longfellow's 
Poems. 

6. Piano solo, "Trinity Chimes" (a piano novelty) — 
Decker. 

7. Solo, " Legend of the Bells " — Planquette. 

8. Reading, " The Bells " — Edgar Allan Poe. 

9. Mixed quartet, " Bells of Dreamland " — Rathbun. 
10. Piano solo, " Bells at Eventide " — Koelling. 

Bell Salad for Bell Luncheon: Use red or green pep- 
pers. Open at the large ends and fill with chicken, shrimp 
or vegetable salad. Use cherries or olives on toothpicks 
for the clappers. Make the handles of pieces of pepper. 

Bell Ice Cream for Bell Luncheon: Cut a piece of 
paper the shape of a bell, and lay on an inch-thick piece 
of ice cream. Cut around with a small knife. In many 
towns confectioners can supply bell molds. 

The favors are bell candy boxes trimmed in a sprig of 
green tied on with No. 5 ribbon. 

The placecards are made by fastening three small bells 
to a card with baby ribbon. 

Christmas Dinner Charades 

For those who like guessing games, charades about the 
Christmas dinner are enjoyable. 



36o THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

My first is a Tartar, 
My second a letter; 
My all is a country, 
No Christmas dish better. 

Turkey (Turk-e). 

My first is a word that grows among wheat, 
My second's an article small and complete, 
My third is a peg ; my all is a treat. 
An edible tortoise that moves with four feet. 

Terrapin (Tare-a-pin). 

My first is four-fifths of the bird 
For which my all is named ; 
My second is a furry beast 
But very seldom tamed; 
My third's the end of appetite; 
My all is tart and very bright 
And makes fine sauce for Christmas night. 
Cranberry (Cran[e]-bear-e). 

A prisoner's room doth make my first, 
My second is a moral fall, 
My third's a vowel much in use; 
A kind of parsley is my all. 

Celery (Cell-err-e) 

My first's a stream in Italy, 

Through Scotland's banks my second flows, 

My third's a little flaxen tuft; 

My all in Ireland largely grows. 

Potato (Po-tay-tow) 

My first's a curly letter. 

My second rimes with number; 

My all's a crisp and pleasant dish, 

And much enjoyed when served with fish. 

Cucumber (Q-cumber) 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 361 

My first is a sound made by a crow. 
My second's a meadowy field, 
My third is a blossom you all know; 
My all is a vegetable yield. 

Cauliflower (Caw-lea-flower) 

My first is neither black nor white, 

But a mixture of the two; 

My last is in the alphabet, 

And always found in view; 

My all's a juice of fowl or meat, 

A liquid dressing when complete. 

Gravy (Gray-v) 

My first is a mark or blemish. 
My next a word for " mother " small, 
My third is the past tense of "lay"; 
Delicious jam describes my all. 

Marmalade (Mar-ma-laid) 

My first is a feline, my second a sip; 
My all is a sauce with a peppery nip. 

Catsup (Cat-sup) 

My first's a term in sewing used. 
My second a wager not refused; 
My all's a flavored water ice. 
Always sweet and always nice. 

Sherbet (Shirr-bet) 

My first's a metal vessel, 

My second's letter four; 

My all's beloved by old and young, 

Who by good sweets set store. 

Candy (Can-d) 

My first is an affected walk, 
My second is a pastry; 



362 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 



My all is a prime Christmas dish 
Of fruit and spices tasty. 



Mince Pie 



Tom Tucker much admired my first, 
My second's proof is "in the eating"; 
My whole adorns the Christmas feast 
Where Yuletide guests are meeting. 

Plum Pudding 

My first is a bright line of light, 
My second is a crime; 
My all with nuts a relish makes 
At close of dinnertime. 

Raisin (Ray-sin) 

My first is a sound in the chest. 
My second's a letter in " blest " ; 
My all is a drink from a brown berry brewed, 
Which helps us digest our good Christmas food. 
Coffee (Cough-e) 

Outdoor Christmas Parties 

If you are fortunate enough to spend Christmas in the 
country, a picnic is just as much fun in gorgeous zero 
weather as in summer. A party of young folks had had 
great sport skiing, snowshoeing, " tailing," " bobbing " and 
skating. But, when they left the house one afternoon for 
a short hike on snowshoes and their hostess called to them 
to be back by five o'clock surely, and said they were to go 
for a picnic supper in the woods, they felt that something 
was to happen. 

They were " surely " back at five o'clock, and very soon 
they clambered onto a huge sled and were covered with 
fur rugs. Baskets of food and utensils were put " on 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 363 

board " and off they started. It was a very noisy trip, for 
the cold mountain air is very exhilarating. They sang 
and laughed, the bells jingled and the runners creaked on 
the dry snow. Down the road, across the river, they went 
into the wood, where they followed a logging road for 
about two miles. It was dark, the only light the flickering 
one from their lanterns. 

Suddenly there loomed before them a great, red glow, 
and there in a clearing were two enormous fires where 
several figures ran about and were busy like wood folk 
in celebration of some rite. Then the logs which sur- 
rounded the fires were covered with the rugs from the 
sled and formed seats. Snug and warm they sat and 
watched the guides prepare supper. There were chops 
and bacon, griddle cakes with maple sirup, coffee and 
cream, and all too soon it was time to go home. 

Novelty Walk 

For outdoor diversion after dinner the young folks will 
enjoy walking, and a novel way to add to the fun for a 
party in town or city is to give to each girl, before the 
start, a tiny bow of ribbon and supply each boy with a 
map of the section of the city in which the hostess lives. 
This map must show an area three blocks square. 

As partners, the hostess sends a boy out of one door and 
a girl out of another. The following instructions are 
given for the walk : 

1. The couples must keep within the boundaries stated 
on the map. 

2. At each corner a penny tossed decides the new di- 
rection. For instance, a couple walking west, when they 
reach a cross street, toss up to see whether they will go 
north or south. 



364 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

3. When couples meet, partners are exchanged, the boy 
keeping the same direction as before. 

4. The scout — a boy without a partner — is free to go 
where he likes, and when meeting a couple it is his privi- 
lege to claim the girl, sending her partner off as scout. 

5. All couples to return at a stated time. 

Another suggestion for Christmas week is to imitate 
the high-school class that took a progressive sleighing 
party on Saturday afternoon, going to the farm homes of 
various members for different substantial " eats," not 
" courses," and snow, sunshine, hot suppers, roaring fire- 
places, songs, moonlight and merry comrades made the 
class dare the other classes to " go them one better " in 
the way of a jolly good time. 

A " Turkey Tale " 

Many like the good old-fashioned way of having the 
dinner in the middle of the day. If the dinner is a long 
one, the guests may enjoy this " Turkey Tale." Have it 
typewritten on sheets of paper about eight inches wide. 
Roll up the paper and seal with a turkey seal until the 
hostess, who holds the key, is ready to introduce the game. 
All the blanks are to be filled in with words pertaining in 
some way to turkey : 

We first see the Old Home as it stands the night before 
Christmas. It is a large red brick house built in ante- 
bellum days. In the left ( i ) are all the bed- 
rooms where many friends enjoy sweet repose. In the 
front are large white stone steps, leading up to a door in 

which the (2) is never turned against strangers. 

On each side of these steps is a (3) lamp post in 

the form of a huge and vicious lion. In his open 

(4) is an electric bulb which lightens the whole front 
yard. 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 365 

Every room to-nig.it is quiet and still but the morrow 
the whole house will be a place of merrymaking, for all 

the children and grandchildren will be (5) home, 

and the patter of little (6) will be heard once 

more. 

Morning has come and all are here by the (7) 

of grandmother's Christmas tree, and everyone's 

(8) is happy, as they all (9) once more. In the 

kitchen the (10) negro cook and all her helpers 

are working like (11) getting a fine 

(12) dinner. 

We will pass over the dinner, which was a grand suc- 
cess, regardless of what the grocer's (13) may 

have been. We are spending the afternoon in conversa- 
tion with one another, and listening to childish prattle. 
One little tot when asked what she thought of her grand- 
father said : " I love him and I hope he will be a long 

(14)." 

It is night now and all the older people are singing the 

old songs, while grandfather, though his (15) is 

white, is still young and he is taking the children as fast 

as their little (16) can carry them up to the 

nursery, where they (17) on his armchair while 

he tells them fairy (18) about the (19) 

until they go to sleep. 

He has come down to the parlor again and the negroes 

are coming up from their quarters with (20), 

(21) and other musical instruments, to play for 

the guests. After a few hours of fun we are taken up to 

the rooms where fine (22) beds await us and we 

enjoy a good night's rest. 

It is morning now and all happy times must come to a 

close, so amid tear dimmed (23), we must say 

good-bye, hoping to be all together next Christmas Day. 



366 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 
Key 



1. Wing 

2. Key 

3. Brown 

4. Mouth 

5. Back 

6. Feet 



7. Side 

8. Heart 

9. Meat 

10. Fat 

11. Turks 



13. Bill 

14. Liver 

15. Head 

16. Legs 

17. Lean 



12. Turkey 18. Tales 



19. Gobble-uns 

20. Drumsticks 

21. Bones 

22. Feather 
22. Eyes 



A Christmas " Stag " for the Boys 

Oh, it's a jolly time when Mother lets Bob have " the 
fellows " in to supper during Christmas week ! What to 
serve need not bother her greatly so long as the dish is 
substantial, " tastes good and lots of it." But Mother's 
desire to do something out of the ordinary for Bob may 
manifest itself in decorating the last course to make it 
look like " some dessert." Then I think she might like to 
duplicate the idea of favors given at a boys' club party. 
It seemed impossible to find any appropriate favors for 
boys of their years, so small globes were bought at the 
favor counter in one of our large department stores, and 
their centers were filled with candy. Then a poem con- 
taining each boy's Christian name was written and the 
paper used folded in an oblong like a small flag; the pin 
used for the pole of the flag was pushed into the globe at 
the place indicated in the poem, or was connected with 
the name of the character selected. For instance, one 
boy's name was George; his poem was: 

Our capital at Washington 

Is named for George, 

Who set our country free ; 

He knew how to fight the Indians, too, 

And never ran when they said, " Booh ! " 

So, George, resolved to be like him 

Whose memory no long years can dim. 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 367 

This paper was folded as a flag and pinned over the 
City of Washington on the globe at George's place. A boy 
named Joseph had the following : 

Joseph was a brave, brave lad, 

Sold by his jealous brothers; 
But he was good as he could be 

And showed strong love for others. 
So, Joseph, boy, watch out that you 
Are to his model always true. 

This flag was placed in the Holy Land. 

Over Trafalgar Bay a boy named Nelson found this: 

Nelson was an English Admiral 

Who to Trafalgar Bay did sail; 
He won that mighty battle 

And never once turned tail. 
So, Nelson, be as great a man — 
Win ever battle that you can. 

Over Egypt the flag read for Gordon: 

General Gordon was a soldier brave 

Who fought in Egypt land ; 
Of all of England's soldiers 

He surely was most grand. 
So, Gordon, boy, be brave as he — 
Give your life to the right and your dear country. 

As Father was toastmaster he called on each boy to 
imfold and read his flag. The poems are easily prepared, 
for the boys will not criticize the meter. 

Competitive Games 

A.S the desire to outdo some one else is very strong in 
the boy of fifteen or sixteen competitive games and 
" stunts " will prove a success when tried out during the 
evening. 



368 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Before they begin the games they are given cards with 
gilded wishbones tied on in Christmas colors, and for 
everything successfully done during the evening each one 
receives a star. Such stunts as " pulling a pin from a 
chair with one's teeth," " jumping a rope blindfolded," " a 
pony race," the track being marked by the cutting of red 
tape lengthwise to a goal ; " riding a broomstick," where 
the boy sits tailor fashion between two chairs, takes a glove 
off each of the two posts of the backs of the chairs; 
" walking a tight rope," by looking from the wrong end 
of an opera glass focused upon his own feet while trying 
to walk a white tape, and so on, will interest the boys. 

Christmas Auction 

" Christmas Auction " is a game in which any number 
of guests can take part. A number of objects in the room 
are provided with numbers: i, 2, 3, 4, etc. The prizes, 
called " premiums," are exhibited on a table. These pre- 
miums must correspond, in some way known only to the 
hostess, to some of the numbered objects. If, for instance, 
three premiums are offered they must correspond to three 
of the numbered objects. 

The correspondence between objects and premiums may 
be based either on color (a green object, for example, 
may correspond to a green premium) or on association 
(a vase may correspond to a flower, a table to a doily, 
etc.). 

The guests are provided with cardboard circles (as 
many as objects to be sold) representing money. A clever 
speaker, or one versed in the technical vocabulary of 
auctioneering, is preferable for the office of auctioneer. 

The auctioneer mounts a chair or platform and an- 
nounces: "Ladies and Gentlemen: The proprietor of 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 369 

this esteemed and ancient household spent too much money 
on his Christmas shopping, so, to raise money for the pur- 
pose of meeting his January bills, he has decided to sell 
the valuable household items which you see provided with 
numbers from i to — . Some of them are pieces of an- 
tique art antedating the Crusades. To make the purchase 
of exceptional interest premiums — you see them on yon- 
der table — will be given away free with some of the 
articles, though I am not at liberty to state with which. 
However the prudent bidder will notice that the premiums 
themselves suggest the articles with which they go. Be- 
fore the public sale commences I invite a close inspection 
of the articles to be sold and the premiums which go 
with some of the articles." 

(After the inspection) : " We shall now proceed to sell 
the articles designated to the highest bidder. Be wise and 
do not spend all your money on one object; be judicious 
and buy the right article; be game and do not let your 
neighbor get the better of you. This table was made by 
Peter the Great. It is valued at ten thousand dollars. 
What will you give for this table ? One dollar only ? One 
dollar, one dollar ; two beats one, two beats one ; two, two, 
two; three beats two, three dollars," etc. 

In this way all articles are sold to the highest bidder. 
Being limited by the number of tokens furnished, each 
guest desirous of winning a premium will be careful not 
to buy useless articles — that is, he will set his ingenuity 
at work to discover the before-named correspondence be- 
tween article and premium. At the conclusion those who 
have bought articles will present the number of each item 
purchased, whereupon the auctioneer will read from a 
list the corresponding premiums. 

This game was tried out at a party of twenty-five and 
proved to be a source of endless hilarity and laughter. 



370 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Fifteen articles were sold and three premiums given. 
Each guest had been provided with fifteen tokens, repre- 
senting fifteen dollars. Some of the guests staked their 
whole fortune of " fifteen dollars " on one article and 
still did not win a premium; others bought articles at 
" one dollar," since nobody thought it worth while to 
bid higher, and won a premium. All depends upon the 
ingenuity to discover the principle of correspondence be- 
tween article and premium. 

A Party for All Our Friends 

A Christmas musicale is a very pretty form of enter- 
taining, as all of one's friends may be asked — if the 
house is large enough. As the house will be decorated 
for the holidays not much preparation will be necessary. 
Have the chairs arranged to face the piano. Don't have 
more than five or six numbers and have these numbers 
written clearly on white correspondence cards with a 
Christmas emblem or seal at the top, or a bar of the music 
of some old-fashioned Christmas carol may be sketched. 

Let all the numbers be old-fashioned Christmas melo- 
dies, songs and readings. For one reading why not have 
that piece our mothers used to hear : " Major Jones's 
Christmas Present"? Then Irwin Russell's "Christmas 
Night in the Quarters." Both are full of humor. Two 
old Christmas ballads should be selected for the solos and 
that will leave one instrumental number to be filled in. 
But let it be old-fashioned. A medley of Christmas songs 
would be enjoyed. 

While the guests are being served in the dining-room 
have a quartet of voices, stationed under the dining-room 
window, sing a Christmas carol without accompaniment. 
The voices, floating in through the opened window, will 
be a pleasant surprise to the guests. 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 371 

Christmas-Shopping Pantomime 

There is so much of festivity in the Christmas decora- 
tions and so much of good will abroad that we all feel in a 
good-time party mood. It's " the feel in the Christmas 
air." So if we plan just a few " things to do " the 
Christmas party is likely to be a success. Can you imagine 
anything more appropriate than " A Christmas-Shopping 
Pantomime" to start the fun of the evening? 

The leader, who should be a good talker, first gives to 
every one present the name of an article she is presumed 
to have bought on one of her shopping expeditions. The 
person whose name is called is to describe it in panto- 
mime. For example, the leader begins by saying : " The 
members of my family are getting almost destitute of 
clothing; yes, positively destitute. Materials are not so 
durable as when I was young, and hardly pay for the 
making nowadays. I hurried up the housework this 
morning so as to have a good long day for shopping. 
And after making out my list, even down to a — Miss 
Smith." 

Miss Smith rises, and in pantomime cuts a slice of 
bread, butters it and begins to eat it, while the company 
try to guess the article. The leader then proceeds with 
the story, bringing in various articles of wearing apparel 
or household use which the person called on describes in 
pantomime. If any articles are not guessed they may be 
brought into the story several times. If both men and 
women are among the guests it will increase the amuse- 
ment to give a lady's hat to a gentleman and have him 
primp before the mirror as he tries it on; while a lady 
may manipulate a pocketknife or razor. The story is 
ended by the delivery of goods at home, when all rise 
and act their specialties. 



372 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 



The Latest Sensation in the Holiday Press 

Have you ever tried writing " specials " in which Mother 
Goose's family figure? Partners may be decided by hav- 
ing the same selection from Mother Goose melodies on 
two cards, or half on each, decorated to suit the verses. 
After every one has found his or her partner each couple 
is given a piece of paper and a pencil and told to write a 
" Newspaper Article," using the subjects of their verses 
as the foundation, but as if it had just happened. For 
instance, from " Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son " : 

SHOCKING THEFT IN JONESVILLE 

Young Citizen Steals Pig, But Gets Off Lightly Upon 
Mr. Smith's Request 

Young Tom Jones, son of the well-known Piper Jones, of 
Jonesville, surprised and shocked the inhabitants of that 
peaceful village yesterday afternoon by stealing a very fine pig 
that was owned by Mr. B. O. Smith. The young rascal was 
caught, but, on account of his father (who is a highly re- 
spected man), Mr. Smith begged the authorities to turn him 
over to his father, which they did. Mr. Jones, seeing the need 
of it, gave his son a good talk and bitter medicine, which con- 
sisted mostly of hickory tea. Every one is under the impres- 
sion that Tom wept as he ran down the street and that he 
will " let well enough alone " for the present. 

After a limited time the news articles are collected and 
(without the names of the writers) are read aloud to the 
guests, who decide the prize winners. 

Two Christmas-Stocking Games 

What is Christmas without a stocking? Can you tell 
what was in Tommy's stocking? 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 373 

Although Tommy's stocking is really quite wee, 

Made up of eight letters, as plainly you see. 

Yet in it Sue says that she found a small bed (i), 

The tooth of a wheel (2) and a Government's head (3), 

A nautical mile (4) and something to spend (5), 

A metal quite often most easy to bend (6), 

Violation of duty entire and complete (7), 

An article man has to wear on the feet (8). 

The spirit to blame for most sorrow and woe (9), 

An outfit with soldier or sailor to go (10), 

The beat of a watch (11), a poem set to tune (12), 

What nightingales do by the light of the moon (13), 

A drain without which we would not be content (14), 

And something by which we dc things represent (15), 

A notch such as boy with a per knife may make (16), 

Then, strangely enough, our heaviest weight (17), 

Next a person indifferent to joy or to grief, 

Who admits no affliction, hence needs no relief (18), 

An instrument with which we may handle a fire 

To make it burn lower or blaze up much higher (19), 

A natural covering endowed with a sense (20), 

And lastly a weapon, a bee's great defense (21), 

As the stockings for Christmas hang up by the flue. 

Spy out, if you're able, the same things as Sue. 



The contents as found in the word " Stocking": i, Cot; 2, 
Cog; 3, King; 4, Knot; 5, Coin; 6, Tin; 7, Sin; 8, Sock; 9, 
Gin; 10, Kit; 11, Tick; 12, Song; 13, Sing; 14, Sink; 15, Sign; 
16, Nick; 17, Ton; 18, Stoic; 19, Tongs; 20, Skin; 21, Sting. 

A stocking surprise can be arranged for the next game 
by hanging a number of small net stockings on the Christ- 
mas tree before the arrival of the guests. Each stocking 
is filled with candy or a souvenir. Cards are distributed 
on which are conundrums, the answer to each being the 
word " Stocking." The answer to each conundrum is one 
of the stockings on the tree. After allowing a few 



374 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

minutes for guessing each one receives a substantial an- 
swer to the riddles in the form of a well-filled stocking. 
The conundrums to be used are: 

What always travels on foot? 

What title is given to a rich broker? 

What article of dress always has a hole in it? 

What is a merchant's first care when starting in business? 

Made with a leg, but not an arm? 

What object is always a foot long? 

What is almost knee-high to a Scotchman? 

What King has never been crowned? 

When is a grocer busiest? 

Always on promenade, seldom on the tramp? 

The Party Around the Table 

Christmas dinner, owing to its many elaborate prepara- 
tions, is usually not served until a late hour. For this 
reason the small members of the family, and often some 
of the larger ones as well, find it difficult to control their 
large and increasing appetites. 

If the turkey in all his crispy brown and savory steam- 
ing splendor is to be carved upon the table in the true 
Christmas fashion there is always that unavoidable wait 
" while Father serves." True it may not be very long, 
yet how unending it does seem to the impatient youngsters ! 

The older daughter of a household, with a bright idea, 
solved this problem by having the turkey served to verse, 
and in that way both filled in the intervening minutes and 
afforded the family much amusement. 

The centerpiece was the oft-used miniature Christmas 
tree, whose only ornaments were the tiny red candles, 
lighted. Under the tree was arranged a wreath of holly. 
This served to hide the tree's base, which had been sewed 
to the cloth to prevent its tipping. 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 375 

For place-cards plain white cardboard was used, tying to 
one corner a twig of holly with bright scarlet baby ribbon, 
the other end of which was left long enough to extend to 
the center of the table. On the opposite ends of the 
ribbons were tied more cards of like size, and these were 
hung upon the boughs of the little tree. They were the 
" surprise." 

When at last the feast was ready the family found their 
places by their name-cards. 

As soon as all were seated Father was told to draw his 
card from the tree and read it to the curious family. 
With a quick pull of the ribbon it bounded across the 
table, and he read: 

Oh, I'm the man that carves the " turk," 
This bird all brown and crispy ! 

Hold your appetites steady, 

Have your knives and forks ready, 
And name your choice part — speak up briskly ! 

At Father's right sat the honored guest, who found that 
her card read: 

A piece right oflf the wishbone 
Is what I'm wishing for; 

A dainty piece, please; 

If that fails to appease 
May I ask you later for more? 

After each request was read Father served that plate. 
No one was allowed to draw his card before his turn, in 
this way keeping all interested. 

Seated next the guest was Grandfather. Quick to catch 
the spirit of the game he drew his card, adjusted his 
spectacles and read : 



376 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

I'm too happy to know what I wish for, 
With the whole blessed family so near; 

Yet whatever I eat, 

Whether dark or light meat, 
Serve it, please, with a sauce of good cheer. 

Then came the little grandmother, with the " smile 
wrinkles " showing plainer than ever around her dear eyes 
as she read: 

My choice has always been the wing. 
And I'll tell you why 'tis so : 

Though I'm older than many, 

I feel younger than any, 
I'm a " high-flyer " yet, as you know. 

The hungry small cousin came next, and he laughed 
when he read : 

His strut or his gobble, his leg or his wing, 
I love all from his head to his feet; 

Aunty's looking this way. 

But it's Christmas today. 
So please give me all I can eat. 

And then came the hungry small boy of the clan, who 
almost shouted when he saw that his card said : 

I want the drumstick, if you please. 
That brown one next to you; 

And a big piece of breast 

Along with the rest, 
And the liver and gizzard both too. 

Then the dear Mother drew her card : 

After twenty years of serving me 
You ask my choice? You're bluffing, 

But I'll play the game; 

Some dark meat I'll name — 
Be careful, Dear, don't spill the stuffing. 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 377 

Close to Mother sat the baby. Her card had been drawn 
some time before and was now partially devoured, from 
which fate Mother rescued it and read : 

I'm the tiniest one at the table, 

And my wants are both modest and few ; 

Though it is the truth 

That I haven't a tooth, 
Won't you give me a bone, please, to chew? 

Uncle John found written on his card: 

Most any part you have suits me ; 

I'm not the choosing kind. 

Though my tastes are quite wide 

There's one thing I'll confide [whispering] : 

If you just keep the neck I won't mind. 

The " big " brother was a Freshman in High School, 
and his specialty was slang : 

Well now if it is up to me 
I'll tell you how I feel; 

I'm not much for red tape. 

So cut color and shape, 
And just see that I get a good deal. 

Then came the turn of the one who had planned the 
game, and as she looked over the few choice parts that 
remained she read sadly : 

I am the last; I am also the least; 
Biit please, Dad, don't forget it : 

I'll take stuffing and gravy, 

And a bit of bird maybe. 
And be mighty glad to get it. 



378 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

A Party for the Young Folks 

Young people have a way of pairing off and remaining 
with their escorts the entire evening, and, as this is just 
what a wise hostess wishes to avoid, new devices for 
changing partners during the evening are always in de- 
mand. This can be done in a novel and entertaining way 
with little trouble. Take a circle of green cardboard and 
divide it into as many segments as you have girls present. 
Write a girl's name in each division. Now cut out a large 
red pasteboard star, with a white arrow painted on one 
of the points, and fasten this star to the center of the 
cardboard circle by means of a large pin. 

Each boy in turn comes up and spins the star, and the 
maiden whose name is indicated when the white arrow 
comes to rest is accorded him as partner. Of course if a 
girl's name has already been chosen the boy must spin 
again. This spinning star will result in much innocent 
mirth for the young people. 

HOLLY AND MISTLETOE PARTNERS 

Another novel method of choosing partners is to sus- 
pend from a doorway a large green cardboard ring. 
Through this is passed a number of lengths of red baby 
ribbon. To one end of each is tied a piece of mistletoe 
and to the other a piece of holly. The girls are each re- 
quested to choose one of the pieces of mistletoe and the 
gentlemen one of the pieces of holly. The ring is then cut 
and the partners will be found holding the same ribbon. 

TRIMMING THE CHRISTMAS TREE 

" Trimming the Christmas Tree " is a game in which 
every one can take part. From dark green paper tear out 
a tree in pyramid shape with indented sides, that the 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 379 

seeming branches may stand out in relief. The tree should 
be about six feet high when completed. Give each person 
present some very inexpensive homemade Christmas-tree 
ornament and let each take a turn in placing the ornament 
on the tree while blindfolded. A small prize should be 
given to the one who places his ornament in the most 
appropriate place — for instance, to the one who puts a 
star at the top of the tree. 

A clothestree wound with evergreen or with paper holly 
would make a good substitute for the flat paper tree. 

Christmas Morning Games 

To make a happy Christmas morning you have to begin 
several days before. It isn't numbers of things that make 
Christmas; as I say, it's the " feel in the air." So if there 
are no other decorations than a single wreath, let the chil- 
dren buy it or, better still, let them go out and gather the 
decorations — huckleberry vines, juniper and spruce tips, 
ground pine and bright-berried twigs. Then let them help 
with the baking and cut out the cookies. 

Even a big evergreen branch will make a good tree if 
nothing more is available. Spread tinsel over it like fine 
spider webs, and the fine, large tree will be little missed. 

On Christmas morning there must be stockings as usual, 
and at least the trimmed branch and the gifts. We may 
indulge in nonessential gifts for the children, but if the 
games presented are occupational, or games which the 
children will want the older ones to play with them, the 
joy of Christmas will be prolonged. 

THE AIRPLANE TALLY 

If there are a number of children in the family party 
and several new games have been received among them, 
another game may be arranged as a tally. 



38o THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Across one side of the room and against the wall stretch 
a piece of paper fifteen feet long and three feet wide. 
Draw a circle at the left end of this paper and label it 
" San Francisco," and at the other end draw another 
circle for " New York." Draw a route on this paper con- 
necting these two cities and fifteen principal cities between 
that would be passed in going from coast to coast. Mark 
off every five hundred miles of the distance. 

Each child is given a piece of paper cut in the shape of 
an airplane (these may often be found on post cards and 
may be cut out) to which a pin is attached. Then an- 
nounce that the winner at each of the new games to be 
played will be given so many miles — the game that takes 
the longest to play counting, say, fifteen hundred miles, 
the next a thousand, and so on down to five hundred. 
When a game is won the winner places his airplane at the 
point to which he has advanced. After the games are 
finished the child whose machine is nearest New York is 
declared the winner through the air from coast to coast. 

PEEP-SHOWS 

Inexpensive Christmas souvenirs that will provide lots 
of entertainment for Christmas morning are fairy tale 
" Peep Boxes." These are really as old as our great- 
grandmothers, but new- to most of the children of this day. 
They may be made from materials at hand. Make one for 
each child. To make one you cut a small round hole in the 
end of a shoe box. If you desire to make a snow scene 
you can line the bottom of the box with cotton and sprinkle 
it over with " snow powder." Then use cut-outs of tiny 
pictured houses and people, and get wee branches of 
evergreen trees and set the ends in twist spools, in order 
to keep them upright in the box. Put standards on the 
houses, cut out dolls and arrange all the objects to form a 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 381 

pleasing scene. Lay a piece of colored tissue paper over 
the top of box, then look through the peep-hole. You will 
be greatly surprised at the pretty effect. 

Little figures from old valentines and the old-fashioned 
scrapbook pictures, if they can be purchased, will add 
pleasing bits of color to the scene. Mother Goose tales, 
Cinderella, Snow White and Red Riding Hood may be 
pictured. 

In presenting the boxes to the children, place them at 
convenient heights around the room and let the children 
make the rounds as we used to see the pictures in the 
penny arcades. Have extra material on hand so the 
children can make some more boxes for themselves or 
for their friends. 

ROADSIDE COMPETITION 

If the children are housed all the morning it will be a 
good thing to get them out for a walk before dinner. 

On a walk, play the game of " Roadside Competition." 
First, each child should be given a paper bag and the 
entertaining grown-up should fill his pocket with nuts or 
little hard candies. The children divide into sides and 
one side takes everything going up the road and the other 
everything going down the road. Decide on what shall 
count points : A man carrying a baby ; a woman pushing 
a baby coach ; a dog ; a white horse ; a green automobile ; 
a red automobile; a boy with a bundle; a girl on a 
bicycle ; a cat, etc. 

The nuts or candies are distributed one to each on a 
side as their points are made. And the side that first 
spies a man in uniform going either way wins the game. 



382 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Christmas Afternoon Games 

After dinner another lively outdoor game would be in 
order unless the book-loving ones cannot be taken away 
from the new Christmas stories. But after the books have 
been enjoyed and the afternoon begins to wane a good 
game is " I Remember," based on the idea of the spelling- 
down match. A list of questions and answers — similar 
to the one printed below — must be prepared, and an older 
person placed in charge. 

When all questions are answered the line having the 
larger number in it wins. Questions based on geography, 
history, current events and literature may be used, 

"l REMEMBER " 

1. Who lived for a long time all alone on an island? 

Robinson Crusoe. 

2. Who lost her slipper? Cinderella. 

3. Who found the cave of the forty thieves? Ali Baba, 

in the " Arabian Nights." 

4. Who stole the singing harp? Jack the Giant-Killer. 

5. Who cut off her hair to help her mother? Jo, in 

" Little Women." 

6. Who fell down and bumped his crown? Jill's brother 

Jack. 

7. Who stole a pig? Tom, the piper's son. 

8. Who had a blackbird pie for his dinner? The King, 

in " Sing a Song of Sixpence." 

9. Who said " Off with her head " ? The Duchess, in 

" Alice in Wonderland." 

10. Who had a playmate named Minnehaha? Hiawatha. 

11. Who liked to smoke and listen to his fiddlers? Old 

King Cole. 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 383 

12. Who asked the crocodile what he liked to eat? Baby 

Elephant, in Kipling's " Just-so " stories. 

13. Who fell off the wall? Humpty-Dumpty. 

14. Who had a wonderful wishing-lamp? Aladdin. 

15. Who took a twenty-year nap on a hillside? Rip Van 

Winkle. 



CAN YOU ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS BY LOOKING AT A 
TWO-CENT STAMP? 

A thoroughly up-to-date game is the guessing of objects 
on the two-cent stamp. The boys especially will be in- 
terested in this. 

1. Why is a good stamp like true love? Because it sticks. 

2. The window of the soul? The eye. 

3. The crown of success? The laurel wreath. 

4. Rose and lily of the valley? Two cents (scents). 

5. Older than age itself? Post Age (postage). 

6. What are always found in a book ? Leaves. 

7. What we like to get from absent friends ? Letters. 

8. What sometimes bothers married people? Ties. 

9. A Belgian rodent? Hair (Hare). 

10. Something which holds up a fence? Post. 

11. A favorite beverage? "T" (Tea). 

12. What a Chinaman has ? Queue. 

13. What a farmer says to his horse? " G" (Gee). 

14. Some spring flowers imported from Holland? Tulips 

(two lips). 

15. A desirable characteristic? The power to stick. 

16. The capital of the United States? Washington. 

17. The most popular words in the English language? 

"I" (Eye); "Us" (U. S.). 



384 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

18. A sign of old age? Wrinkles. 

19. The food of certain birds in winter? Berries. 

20. A shrub? Laurel. 

21. An exclamation of surprise? "O!" 

22. Something which will never meet? Parallel lines. 

23. The edge of a hill ? The brow. 

24. Two negatives ? Nos. (Nose). 

25. A thick sticky fluid? Mucilage. 

26. Why doesn't the Government make a seven-edged 

stamp? Because they perforate (prefer eight). 

27. Why could Washington be classed with the herbs? 

Because he was a sage. 

28. Why do the English think Washington had " class " ? 

Because 'e's a' 'ighbrow (highbrow). 

29. Why does this picture suggest John the Baptist ? Be- 

cause it's decapitated. 

30. What is good for only one trip? A stamp. 



Games in the Dark 

And then, when it gets very dark, before the lights are 
on, give each child a sheet of newspaper and whisper 
the name of a fish, an animal or a bird. Tell them they 
are expected to tear out of the paper in the dark the 
animals whose names have been given them. This is not 
beyond the ability of children of school age, and when the 
lights are turned on the results will be amusing. 

Blessed are the children who have an open fireplace for 
Christmas Eve and Christmas night. Where there are 
evergreen woods a supply of cones should be gathered 
and dried to feed the Yuletide fire, while those who live 
by the seashore will enjoy throwing into the flames occa- 
sional handfuls of dry seaweed, which pops and crackles 
like strings of miniature firecrackers. 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 385 

Of course there will be corn to pop and apples and 
chestnuts to roast on the hearth, some stories to tell, songs 
to sing and music to hear before the day is done. 

A " Pedestrian Dinner " 

A " Pedestrian Dinner " is a novel plan to follow when 
a little circle of friends desire to divide the task of a 
dinner of several courses between them, or it would enable 
different members of a family to be Christmas or New 
Year's hostesses. The " progressive age menu " is a new 
idea for a dinner of this kind and the following courses 
are appropriate: 

Babyhood — Bread and Milk (Cream Soup, With Croutons). 
Childhood — Our First Heroine (Old Mother Goose, With 

Accessories). 
Youth — Tender Memories (Salad Days). 
Wedded Life — The Bride's Bogy Cake Like Mother Used to 

Make. 
Middle Age — Joys of Life's Autumn (Fruits and Nuts). 
Old Age — Solace of Declining Years (Old-Fashioned Mints, 

Candied Ginger, Coffee). 

The invitations may be sent on post cards illustrated 
by a couple walking, and the following rime would be 
appropriate : 

At dinner you're a welcome guest, 

If you're a clever talker ; 
But at this dinner you'll do best, 

If you're a right good walker. 

Below should be written the date, hours and addresses 
of the hostesses who will serve the courses. The table 
decorations should, of course, correspond with the various 
courses. The " Babyhood " table should be covered with 



386 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

pale blue crepe paper, over which is laid a narrower strip 
of pink paper. A baby doll seated in a high chair would 
be appropriate as a centerpiece, and the soup should be 
served in blue bowls, the hostess providing if possible 
" baby spoons." If enough high chairs can be borrowed 
for the occasion they will add to the amusement. 

For the " Childhood " table a pretty centerpiece can be 
arranged by dressing ten-cent dolls to represent Mother 
Goose characters, and posing them on a circle of moss to 
represent a playground. 

The hostess who serves the " Youth " course could deco- 
rate her table in green and white, using maidenhair ferns 
and roses, while a fruit centerpiece would be in keeping 
with the " Middle-Age " course. 

The " Old- Age " table could be prettily decorated in 
lavender and lighted by white, unshaded candles in glass 
candlesticks. 

Of course partners should be changed for each course, 
and at the first home the hostess could stretch a curtain 
across a room, stationing the girls behind it so that only 
their feet would be visible. She could then recite : 

Now choose with care, for you need tonight 

More than the coy and sweet; 
For a partner that will walk with ease. 

Choose only with sturdy feet. 

Other ways of selecting partners, such as matching 
quotations about eating, choosing boutonnieres of different 
flowers, etc., could be used. 

Holiday Luncheon 

The six courses of a holiday luncheon are served in six 
different homes, decorated appropriately to the holiday 
represented. 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 387 

At the Washington's Birthday home grapefruit pulp, 
with cherries, is served. 

In honor of good Saint Patrick the guests enjoy potato 
soup with parsley. 

May Day is represented in a dining-room ornamented 
with blossoms, and lamb chops, potatoes and peas consti- 
tute the course. 

" Crackers," of course, are appropriate to the Fourth of 
July, and stuffed tomatoes served on blue plates carry out 
the color scheme. 

Thanksgiving-Day decorations are in yellow, and gen- 
erous baskets of fruits represent this holiday. 

Last of all comes the Christmas-Day course, which con- 
sists of plum pudding, with nuts and raisins, served amid 
holiday decorations. 

Two Novel Ways to Bestow Favors 

An attractive way in which bonbons or favors may be 
distributed is to secure some one versed in sleight of hand. 
He may be dressed to represent " The Spirit of Christ- 
mas," " Simple Simon," or any other appropriate char- 
acter. After twenty minutes or half an hour of legerde- 
main he should apparently produce gifts from the air, 
from empty cornucopias, or from the pockets of some one 
called up to assist — to the great delight and mystification 
of the children. 

The Gift Wreath also affords a novel means of dis- 
tributing either Christmas gifts or small trinkets used as 
favors for the Christmas party. The foundation is a 
wooden or wire hoop. This is covered with evergreen 
and holly and suspended in a doorway or from a chandelier 
by means of five inch -wide scarlet ribbons. Hung from 
the wreath at varying heights, by narrow red ribbons, are 



388 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

the gifts, each wrapped in white tissue and decorated 
with a sprig of evergreen. Each guest may be bUnd- 
folded and the wreath swung; the package he catches is 
the one he keeps. The winner of each game might be re- 
warded with a gift bundle. 

At a Christmas house party ask every guest to write a 
wish for each of the friends. Fold the papers and have 
them addressed to the proper parties, with the directions 
to be opened at a given hour that would be timely. The 
wishes, of course, should be funny and appropriate. An 
improvised letter box on the porch might be used as a 
receptacle for the letters. 



Gift Bundles Just for Fun 

If you should wish to arrange a number of progressive 
games a novel substitute for prizes especially good for the 
Christmas party is to arrange a tray bearing apparently a 
quantity of gift bundles. As the winners progress the 
tray is passed to each loser, who selects whatever package 
most pleases his eye, opens it and adorns himself with the 
prize. In every case this is something which can be worn. 
The result is entertaining and the fun increases as the 
evening progresses and the guests become more decorated. 
Hair ornaments, sashes, conspicuous jewelry, auto goggles, 
bibs, aprons, ruffs for the neck, dusting-caps and head- 
dresses of all kinds may be used. Other articles may be 
made from pasteboard or colored paper, as soldiers' caps, 
crowns, collars, and bows to pin on the shoulders or at 
the waist. At the end of the evening a vote may be taken 
as to the most ridiculous-looking person, and the winner 
may be presented a vegetable bouquet as a consolation 
prize. This " dressing up " party always makes a jolly 
evening with a great deal of laughter, and when the guests 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 389 

depart each is sure to feel that he or she has had an 
unusually " good time." 

The tray of bundles is also a pretty way to serve 
Christmas bonbons. A little thought will enable you to do 
up the boxes with different wrappings in many dainty 
ways, and the tray may be passed after refreshments have 
been served. 

Christmas Tables and Christmas Cakes 

Many hostesses who are noted for the charm of their 
entertainments always plan to have at the beginning and 
end of the meal some little novelty in substance or serving 
that will be likely to start and keep up a lively flow of 
conversation. The funny faces of the goblin oranges, for 
instance, will cause a merry comparison of expressions, 
which, by a slight difference in the marking, may vary 
from grave to gay. 

PINE CONE candle HOLDERS 

Pine branches and beach-grass baskets filled with dried 
bayberries form an unusual centerpiece. A pine cone 
serves as a holder for the bayberry dip at each cover. 
The dips are to be lighted at the beginning of the meal and 
allowed to " burn to the socket," following the suggestion 
of the old jingle printed on the place-cards: 

" A bayberry candle burned to the socket 
Brings luck to the house and gold to the pocket." 

The candle burning at Yuletide in Old England was very 
likely to be of bayberry. In our own country the use of 
the bayberry candle is as old as the settlements in Massa- 
chusetts and Virginia. 

The table itself must be Christmassy in its setting and 



390 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

decoration, however simple, and once our eyes have taken 
it all in we settle down to the enjoyment of turkey and 
all the " fixin's " to appease our appetites without any 
particular regard to garnishings. When that is accom- 
plished we are tempted to eat because " it looks so good." 
The housewife's skill as a fancy cook is shown in the 
lighter courses that give her especial opportunity to serve 
dishes that are attractive in Christmas colorings. 

It is the little extra touch that makes a dish or table 
festive in appearance. While all of the ideas presented 
for decorations and dishes may be duplicated exactly by 
housewives who delight to make things " fixy," many a 
housekeeping mother will, we trust, be pleased to select 
even one of the ideas and use it to add a bit of festive 
ornamentation to a more or less plain dish or cake. We 
are sure she will be rewarded by the pleased exclamations 
of the children. 

POINSETTIA TABLE 

The central decoration on the poinsettia table is a favor 
receptacle made by covering a tin milk-pan, first with 
smoothly stretched crepe paper and then with a mass of 
scarlet ruffles with serrated edges suggesting flower petals. 
From its center rises a tall, spreading cluster of flaming 
paper poinsettias. A flounce of poinsettia crepe finishes 
the edge of the table, and the ice-cups and placecards are 
decorated with smaller blossoms of the same gorgeous 
variety. The table would be equally pretty, although per- 
haps not so cheery, if the scheme of decoration were 
worked out in either of the other blooms — holly or mistle- 
toe — which we naturally associate with Christmas. 

Poinsettia Cake. After making a round cake from any 
desired recipe, the poinsettia decoration may be arranged 
as follows: 



CHRISTMAS PARTIES 391 

Frost smoothly with ornamental icing, place an artificial 
poinsettia blossom and leaves on top, surround with tiny 
poinsettia taper-holders containing green tapers, and 
wreathe the cake with asparagus fern and sprigs of holly. 
The cake may be used as a table centerpiece, surrounding 
it with larger poinsettia candle-holders containing green 
candles. 

CHRISTMAS FOREST CAKE 

Bake a plain cake in a large round pan. Frost with 
white icing leaving it rough to simulate snow. The 
forest back of the cake is arranged by placing closely 
together Christmas trees with candles attached, mounted 
on boxes covered with red crepe paper. These are in- 
tended for distribution as favors. The tree trunk stand- 
ing in the center of the cake is made by placing to- 
gether several splints of wood, allowing some of them to 
branch out at the top. To these uppermost ends are at- 
tached dead twigs. The rough part of the structure is 
then covered by winding with strips of brown crepe paper 
and is shellacked. The branches are then given a coat of 
glue and sprinkled with white confetti and mica. Around 
the cake is placed soft white cotton in which stand papier- 
mache reindeer and four tree-trunk candle-holders. 

The Picture Cake is made by icing in plain white any 
round-loaf cake. A little coloring paste is then added to 
small portions of the icing and applied to the cake as one's 
fancy may dictate. A good color scheme is to make a 
yellow star, brown house and path, red chimney and, of 
course, green trees. 



CHAPTER XIX 

ENTERTAINING MUSICAL FRIENDS 

A Summer Musical Party 

Many requests come to me for ways to entertain 
friends who are musical. Here are some suggestions that 
will be enjoyed, I am sure. These games may be played 
on the porch. When music is needed the piano indoors 
may be placed before the open window. 

To play " Around the World With Music " provide pen- 
cils and cards about eight inches by five. Decorate each 
card with a small map of the world or a representation of 
the globe surrounded by a bar of music. Have the cards 
numbered for twenty or more cities or countries. When 
giving them out explain that the trip begins at New York, 
with a sail toward the east. The seventeenth card brings 
the tourists back to America. The other eight are all 
stops made within the United States on the way east to 
New York. The names of the musical selections are writ- 
ten after the countries, as : " New York, ' Yankee 
Doodle,' " Have the music all arranged in the order in 
which each piece is to be played. When the selection or a 
part of it has been played the guests are to write down the 
country suggested by the music played, and the name of 
the music opposite the country. 

New York, " Yankee Doodle " ; Atlantic Ocean, " Rock- 
ing on the Billows " ; Ireland, " Erin is My Home " ; Eng- 
392 



ENTERTAINING MUSICAL FRIENDS 393 

land, " God Save the King " ; Scotland, " My Highland 
Mary"; Switzerland, "Alpine Horn" (Schumei) ; Italy, 
" II Trovatore " ; Spain, " A Spanish Cavalier " ; France, 
" Marseillaise Hymn " ; Palestine, " Holy City " ; Africa, 
" Down in Jungle Town " ; India, " On the Road to Man- 
dalay"; China, "Under the Bamboo Tree"; Manila, 
"Battle of Manila" (March); California, "America"; 
Cheyenne, " Cheyenne " ; St. Louis, " Meet Me at St. 
Louis, Louis " ; Indiana, " On the Banks of the Wabash " ; 
Kentucky, " My Old Kentucky Home " ; Georgia, " March- 
ing Through Georgia " ; Florida, " Suwanee River " ; 
Maryland, " Maryland, My Maryland " ; New York, 
" Home, Sweet Home." 

The Game of " Musical Composition " 

For this game the chorus of some well-known song is 
the basis. The hostess has previously chosen the song, 
using as much of it as is necessary to provide one note of 
the air for each player, and from it has prepared cards in 
this way: 

Painted in black on each card is a single note of music 
large enough to be easily seen across the room. Each 
note is copied from, one in the song : an eighth, a quarter 
or a half, as the case may be. On the back of each card 
are written the number of the* measure, the number of the 
note in the measure and the name of the note. If the 
position of the note is on a line a line is drawn through the 
note on the card. 

Against the wall of the house are fastened strips of 
white cloth, on each of which is painted in black the treble 
clef. The time, the sharps or flats and the proper division 
into measures are also shown. Of course enough meas- 
ures must be shown to contain all the distributed notes. 



394 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Now each player must determine from the printing on his 
card where his note should be placed, and as his turn 
comes he pins his note on the clef in its proper position, 
at the same time trying to sing his note. This is very 
comical, for, as the players follow along one after the 
other, each singing his own note, they should form the 
melody of the song — but, of course, they do not always 
do it. 

The first to guess the song correctly is given a prize. 
As an example we will take the chorus of " Auld Lang 
Syne." The player who has drawn the card on which is 
written " Measure No. i. First Note, E," sings first. As 
there is no line drawn through the note he knows it be- 
longs in a space. Then comes the next player, who holds 
this card, " Measure No. 2, First Note, D," the line 
through the note telling him its proper position. 

Musical Charades. — These may be successfully carried 
out by a small group of quick-thinking, music-loving young 
people. First let three judges be chosen by the hostess; 
then let slips of paper, on which are written the major 
keys or scales, be passed to the boys, and like slips, but 
with the minor scales, be given to the girls. The company 
is thus divided into two sides, the sharps and the flats. 
Partners are formed by each major scale finding his cor- 
responding minor. 

Each couple is then to give a charade for the others to 
guess. The scales may be called for in order by the 
judges: first, C major and A minor, followed by G with 
its minor, then F, etc., thus taking one from each side 
in turn. 

The charade should be some well-known musical com- 
position, and those who act it out should state whether 
popular or classic ; opera, song or instrumental. Here are 
two, for instance, that are easily given: 



ENTERTAINING MUSICAL FRIENDS 395 

Mendelssohn's " Consolation." Young lady in deep 
grief, young man trying to comfort her. 

Gottschalk's " Last Hope." Young man, as physician, 
informs young lady that her only chance for life is a 
change of climate. 

Others that are well known and easily acted are " Old 
Black Joe " and " William Tell," 

To the side making the most correct guesses is given 
the privilege of giving a charade in unison. Grieg's 
" Norwegian Bridal Procession " produces much amuse- 
ment when given in this manner. 

The judges then give their decision and a prize is 
awarded to the couple most successfully carrying out their 
charade. This may be a decorated card inscribed thus: 
"Sometimes BS, never Bb, but always B^l." (Sometimes 
be sharp, never be fiat, but always be natural.) 

An Evening with New Records 

About a dozen girls and young women were gathered 
together on the porch of the home of a mutual friend, 
when it was suddenly discovered that one of their number 
was missing. 

" I wonder what Betty is up to now," said the hostess, 
laughing. " Something new, I'll warrant. I never saw 
anyone so full of new ideas as she is." 

" That's so," rejoined one of her guests ; " but you must 
admit that most of her plans work out for the entertain- 
ment of her friends." 

Before the hostess could reply the trim figure of Betty 
was seen hurrying up the shady street. Manifestly she 
bore news of importance. 

" What is it, Betty ? " called half a dozen voices, as she 
turned in at the gate. 



396 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

"Oh, girls!" said Betty; "I've got just the grandest 
plan you ever heard of ! You know that beautiful new 
talking machine that father gave me on my birthday? 
Well, Uncle William has sent me a lot of brand-new rec- 
ords and I want all of you to come over to our house next 
Thursday evening and we'll have a concert." 

The others all agreed that it was indeed "the grandest 
plan" yet, and they began to question Betty about the 
records. 

" The best part of the whole thing," continued Betty, " is 
that these records will suit everybody. In honor of Kath- 
leen, who will be married before very long, we'll have the 
bridal chorus from " Lohengrin," and the Mendelssohn 
wedding march. They're both out now on one record. 
Then for our singer, Marie, I've got those two fine songs 
of Leoncavallo, ' O Soli Mio ' and ' Mattinata,' sung by 
Oscar Seagle, and ' The Trumpeter,' sung by John Mc- 
Cormack ; and some of the best parts of ' In a Persian Gar- 
den,' the quartette, ' Alas ! That Spring Should Vanish 
Like the Rose ' and ' Ah ! Moon of My Delight." 

"Oh, Betty!" exclaimed one of the group; "have you 
any new opera records ? " 

" Yes, I have the ' Miserere ' from ' II Trovatore,' sung 
in English." 

" Oh, I wanted to hear that ! " said another. " I always 
wanted to know what the words were that inspired such 
a glorious melody, but I never could understand them be- 
cause they were always sung in Italian." 

" Well, you shall know next Thursday evening," replied 
Betty. 

" But those are all songs, Betty," said the young host- 
ess. "Have you any violin numbers? I just love the 
violin." 

" Yes, I have them too," said Betty. " I have the Sla- 



ENTERTAINING MUSICAL FRIENDS 397 

vonic Dance No. i, by Dvorak, played by Fritz Kreisler, 
and a brand-new record of Schumann's ' Trattmerei,' and 
Elgar's ' Salut d'Amour,' played on the 'cello by Pablo 
Casals." 

" Not the great Spanish 'cellist, who is just in Amer- 
ica for the first time ? " 

" The very same," answered Betty proudly ; " and, then, 
if you want to hear some orchestra numbers we will have 
the ' Spanish Rhapsody ' of Chabrier and the ' Ballet Egyp- 
tien ' of Luigini, to say nothing of two Sousa marches, 
' The Jack Tar March ' and ' Hail to the Spirit of Lib- 
erty.' " 

" Well, Betty, you seem to have covered almost every 
case but mine," said Helen. " I suppose I ought to be 
ashamed to say it, but you all know that I am not so very 
fond of music. Of course, I'll be there, but haven't you 
anything especially for me ? " 

" I certainly have, Helen," said Betty. " There are 
three new and killingly funny records, ' Too Much Dog,' 
' No News,' and ' The Head Waiter of the Colored Social 
Club,' told by Nat M. Wills. You just come over and 
hear them on Thursday. 

" Oh, yes," she continued, " and then I have the first 
of the ' Bird Voices ' records of Charles Kellogg. These 
are two simply fascinating talks about birds and are ac- 
companied by a real bird conversation. Mr. Kellogg, you 
know, is considered the greatest of Nature singers." 

" Indeed, you seem to have covered everything but one, 
Betty," said the mother of their hostess. " Have you any 
records of sacred music? " 

" That is one of the best things I have, but I hadn't 
quite got around to it yet," responded Betty. " There is a 
perfectly wonderful duet, ' One Sweetly Solemn Thought,' 
sung by Alma Gluck and Louise Homer, and that beautiful 



398 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

hymn, ' There is a Green Hill Far Away/ sung by a 
church choir. Well," she concluded, " now I must run 
along. All of you come Thursday and we'll give the 
whole program." 

And, with a cheerful nod, Betty and her " grandest plan 
yet " went through the- gate and down the shady street. 

A MusicALE I Planned for My Neighbors 

" I frequently spend an evening at my piano, singing 
and playing. My neighbors sometimes applaud, and often 
tell me how they enjoy the music. Emboldened by their 
kindness I thought of a plan by which I raised a sum of 
money I had pledged for a new church fund. 

" One evening I made brief calls on my nearest neigh- 
bors, inviting them to attend a concert the following even- 
ing at eight o'clock. The concert was to be given on my 
gallery (we say 'gallery,' not 'porch,' in the South), and 
they were to attend it on theirs. They were not only in- 
vited but were also asked to make out the program. 

" With pencil and paper I took down a list of their 
' favorites,' even calling in the servants to know what they 
liked best. The Colonel said that he wanted to hear ' My 
Old Kentucky Home,' and ' Gentle Annie.' The Judge 
called for ' Lilly Dale ' and ' The Last Rose of Summer,' 
while his wife asked me to sing ' Ben Bolt ' and ' Old 
Folks at Home.' A soldier boy wanted ' Good-by, Little 
Girl, Good-by,' and ' Love Me and the World is Mine.' 

" A dear old lady living in the memories of other days 
asked me not to forget ' Bonnie Sweet Bessie ' and ' Lor- 
ena,' and a sentimental young woman asked for ' My Ros- 
ary.' A young married woman put down ' Love's Old. 
Sweet Song ' and ' Dearie.' Old Uncle Jake wanted to 



ENTERTAINING MUSICAL FRIENDS 399 

hear ' Hanner Laurie,' because ' young mistiss used to sing 
it endurin' of de wah.' 

" The instrumental music called for ranged from rag- 
time to Chopin. I explained the object of the 'concert' 
and announced that a collection would be taken up at the 
close of the evening, stipulating that only small pieces of 
silver would be accepted. 

" The next evening the piano was rolled on the gallery, 
the lights turned on and the concert opened at the ap- 
pointed hour. 

" The knowledge that my hearers had the advantage of 
the distance which ' lends enchantment,' divested me of all 
self-consciousness. This, together with the generous ap- 
plause which greeted me across the semi-darkness, inspired 
me to do my best. I alternated a song with an instru- 
mental piece. 

" A good-night song announced the close of the evening, 
after which my little boy and girl made a tour of the 
neighborhood with ' contribution baskets.' " 

Musical Party 

For a " Musical Party " the following rimed invitation 
would be appropriate, musical symbols, of course, being 
substituted for words : 

On Tuesday next please be my guest; 
So if you come you'll meet the rest. 
Please note the hour, the place, the time, 
And pause to answer this my rime. 
From joining us let nothing bar. 
Your absence will our pleasure mar; 
A welcome 'waits you very sure, 
And here you'll find my signature. 



400 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

For entertaining the guests fortunes are appropriate. 
Blindfold each guest in turn and let him or her touch a 
note on the piano, the note struck being significant of the 
future. The following fortune rimes are used : 



GIRLS 



BOYS 



Your life is in the key of A; 
An /Artist you will be some day. 

In key of B life's song rings clear; 
■ You'll be a 5ride soon, never fear. 

Your life is tuned in key of C; 
A Charmer you are sure to be. 

In key of D your life we find, 

Which means you have Domestic mind. 

Your life in key of E we read, 
So you will be £minent indeed. 

The key of F your fate imparts ; 
You'll be a Flirt and break all hearts. 

In key of G life's lyrics ring ; 
The years to you will Glory bring. 



From key of A you may expect 
To be a well-known Architect. 

The key of B o'er you holds sway; 
A fianker you will be some day. 

C is your key, which means in truth, 
A Carpenter you'll be forsooth. 



ENTERTAINING MUSICAL FRIENDS 401 

Your life is writ in key of D, 
Which means a Doctor you will be. 

In key of E life's notes ring clear, 
And Electricity's your sphere. 

In key of K your life is found; 

A Farmer be and till the ground. 

In G life's notes their lyric write; 
In Gardens you will find delight. 



MUSICAL SEARCH 

What musical term do we find in the sea ? Bass. 
What musical term do we find in a store? Chord. 
What musical term do we find around the neck ? Tie. 
What musical term do we find on an animal's feet ? 

Pause (paws.) 
What musical term do we find on a fish ? Scales. 
What musical term do we find in a bank? Note. 
What musical term do we find in an apartment house ? 

Flat. 
What musical term do we find in a carpenter's shop ? 

Brace. 
What musical term do we find in a stationer's shop ? 

Quire (choir). 
What musical term do we find on our vacation? Rest. 

SONG CHARADES 

If another contest is desired, " Song Charades " are en- 
tertaining. Divide the guests into two groups, each group 
in turn presenting in tableau or pantomime the title of a 
song. For example, the " Lost Chord " may be suggested 
by someone wrapping a parcel and searching frantically 



402 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

for the string with which to tie it. A " Perfect Day " 
could be represented by a person holding a placard lettered 
" Twelve Plours," etc. 

For the musical menu the following could be served : 

Intermezzos Sandwiches 

Fantasy Salad 

Suite (Sweet) Bonbons 

Icelandic Rhapsody Ices 

Arabesque Coffee 

Theme with Variations Small Cakes 

Medley Fruit Punch 

A MUSICAL TABLE DECORATION 

A novel table decoration may be arranged by covering 
the table with a white crepe-paper cloth, and pasting 
across strips of black paper to imitate a staff of music. 
Paste upon the staff notes cut from the same material. 
Here and there on the table scatter notes and symbols cut 
from black paper, while in the center of the table could be 
placed a toy piano at which a doll is seated as if playing. 
For favors miniature musical instruments would be ap- 
propriate. 

If preferred the fortune rimes may be used as place- 
cards by cutting cards in the form of keys, from gilt or sil- 
ver cardboard, and writing a rime on each. 

MOCK ORCHESTRA 

One of the best forms of entertainment I know of for 
that particular evening is to have a " Stunt Party." Let 
me tell you of some performances at a social of this kind. 

A musical " stunt " that made lots of fun was a mock 
orchestra. There were about a dozen players. One 
young man had rigged up a perfectly stunning banjo with 



ENTERTAINING MUSICAL FRIENDS 403 

a " quick-meal " frying-pan fastened to a board — or- 
dinary twine being used for strings; another was given a 
toy drum from the ten-cent store; another had a music- 
box, another a jew's-harp and another a mouth-organ. 
One young lady wielded a pie-tin quite as dexterously as 
any Salvation Army lassie uses her tambourine. Another 
played on a comb covered with a paper napkin. Another 
whistled. A young lady played on the dinner-gong, and 
the crowning invention was an impromptu one : A young 
man who was determined not to be left out of the " band " 
seized the snow shovel which was near the door, tipped it 
over his shoulder for a violin, and, invading the kitchen 
laid hold of a cake-knife for a bow, and joined himself 
to the rear of the procession of performers as they filed in. 
The director of the orchestra announced that " Susie's 
Band " would render a selection. With very exaggerated 
gestures he beat time and it was no wonder that the storm 
of applause which followed was simply deafening. 

MUSICAL FAKES 

After responding to one encore with the orchestra the 
leader announced that they would render " The Silent 
Song of the Stars." Taking their places before the audi- 
ence as before they twisted their mouths and rolled their 
eyes and went through the motions of singing — with 
never a sound. That also was applauded. The next stunt 
was a medley in which each member of the band sang a 
different tune. Another stunt was a charade; the words 
chosen were " Sheet Music." It was acted by covering 
three young men with sheets and sending them snoring 
through the room. 



CHAPTER XX 
" LITERARY " AND " ART " AFFAIRS 

An Authors' Hunt 

A pleasant diversion for an evening's entertainment is 
" An Authors' Hunt." Each number in the list below rep- 
resents a well-known author. The first letter of each 
word begins with the corresponding letter in the author's 
name. The clue to the author's identity is furnished not 
only by the beginning letters of each word but by the 
words themselves, which are descriptive of the author or 
his work. The guests should be provided with numbered 
lists of the authors to be guessed, and sufficient time al- 
lowed to guess the names and write them down in spaces 
left on the cards for the purpose. Prizes may be awarded 
to the most successful. 

Disguised Authors 

1. Rustic Bard 9. Rare Loving Spirit 

2. Terrible Complainer 10. Our Well-known Hu- 

3. Comical Delineator morist 

4. Wonderful Sapience 11. Just Gentle Writer 

5. His Works Live 12. Wit Meets Tenderness 

6. England's Bright Bard 13. Everybody's Friend 

7. Notes, Words 14. Just Readable Lovable 

8. Recognized Wisdom 15. Lurid Jumbled Literature 

Everywhere 16. Marvelously Colored 

404 



" LITERARY " AND " ART " AFFAIRS 405 

17. Her Books Sell 21. Trusted Reformer 

18. Attuned Trumpeter 22. Truly Bright American 

19. Eerie, Awful, Poetical 23. Narrated Horrors 

20. Left Many Admirers 24. Wrote Delicate Humor 

The authors represented in the foregoing list are : 

1. Robert Burns 12. William Makepeace 

2. Thomas Carlyle Thackeray 

3. Charles Dickens 13. Eugene Field 

4. William Shakespeare 14. James Russell Lowell 

5. Henry Wadsworth 15. Laura Jean Libby 

Longfellow 16. Marie Corelli 

6. Elizabeth Barrett 17. Harriet Beecher Stowe 

Browning 18. Alfred Tennyson 

7. Noah Webster 19. Edgar Allan Poe 

8. Ralph Waldo Emerson 20. Louisa May Alcott 

9. Robert Louis Stevenson 21. Theodore Roosevelt 

10. OHver Wendell Holmes 22. Thomas Bailey Aldrich 

11. John Greenleaf Whittier 23. Nathaniel Hawthorne 

24. William Dean Howells 

Translated Proverbs 

Although the following is a " pencil-and-paper " game 
it will prove to be a lively one and will occasion much 
fun. It is called " Translated Proverbs." The proverbs 
are all familiar ones and the main thought of each is 
taken and translated into other words, giving a ludicrous 
turn to them. The guests are to guess what the real 
proverbs are: 

- I. Never subject a presented equine to denticular in- 
spection, 

2. You garner the centimes and the monetary units 
will have a care for their own welfare. 



4o6 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

3. A vessel under optical supervision never reaches a 
temperature of 212° F. 

4. Plumaged bipeds of the same species congregate in 
common. 

5. An asinine party and his collateral are eftsoon es- 
tranged. 

6. Place a hobo a la equestrienne and he will journey 
to hades. 

7. Who hooks my mesh bag becomes a stealer of noth- 
ing. 

8. A canine who gives vent to his sentiments by a se- 
ries of vocal efforts rarely finds use for his bicuspids. 

9. If it can be done in twenty-four never do it in forty- 
eight. 

ID. The humidity is not comparative but it is absolute. 

11. A polished steel instrument used at the psychological 
moment will be tantamount to the saving of three times 
three. 

12. Accidents often occur between the drinking vessel 
and the facial aperture. 

"^ 13. Sartorial complement is prone to demonstrate the 
character of the wearer. 

14. Accelerated execution produces faulty results. 

15. One feathered biped imprisoned digitately is equal 
to twice that many at large. 



Answers 

Ti. Never look a gift horse in the mouth. 

2. Take care of the pennies and the dollars will take 
care of themselves. 

3. A watched pot never boils. 

4. Birds of a feather flock together. 



" LITERARY " AND " ART " AFFAIRS 407 

5. A fool and his money are soon parted. 

^ 6. Put a beggar on horseback and he will ride to the 
devil. 

r7. Who steals my purse steals trash. 

8. A barking dog never bites. 

9. Never put off till tomorrov^^ what can be done today. 
ID. It never rains but it pours. 

11. A stitch in time saves nine. 

12. Many a slip 'twixt cup and lip. 
/- 13. Apparel oft proclaims the man. 

14. More haste, less speed. 

15. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. 

Copies of the first list can be passed around to the guests 
and they put their answers below, with numbers corres- 
ponding. After a reasonable length of time has elapsed 
papers are to be exchanged and are to be marked as some- 
one reads the correct answers. For the one guessing the 
most proverbs a suitable prize would be a little book of 
sayings, or the prize could be a little homemade booklet 
containing the same proverbs illustrated if one is possessed 
of a little skill with brush and pen. If one wanted to vary 
the idea partners could be chosen in some novel way and 
each couple could guess the list. 

Writing a Famous Rime 

Now if Mother's Club is " literary " the members will 
surely enjoy this game: 

Who Would Have Written it This Way? 

A Nursery Rime, as Some Famous Poets Would 

Have Written It 



4o8 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 



Ye lytle Jacke Hornere sate in a cornere 

Eatynge a Chrystmase pye; 
He putte in his thumbe and tooke oute a plumbe 

And sayd : " What a goode boye am I ! " 

II 

Jack Horner once, when he was very young, 
Sat in a corner with a Christmas pastry; 
Into its midst he thrust a chubby thumb. 
And from within drew forth a tasty sweetmeat, 
Saying, " Reward of my high merit ! " 

III 

Jack Horner once (when he was very youthful), 
In a cozy corner was reposing. 
And his rapacious hunger satisfying 
With a delicious feast of Christmas pastry, 
Into the midst of which he thrust the finger 
Which commonly we " thumb " denominate. 
Crying, as there he found a sweetmeat : 
" Behold the proof that I am well-deserving ! " 

IV 

Muse, bring all thine arts to my assistance, 
That, quite upon the line of least resistance, 

1 may relate the story of Jack Horner, 
Who once retired to a corner 

With a delicious Christmas pie; 

And, peering round to see that none was nigh, 

Inside the pie he placed his chubby thumb. 

And drew from thence a very tempting plum, 

With the remark, as that sweet bit he ate : 

" How good a boy I must have been of late ! " 



LITERARY " AND " ART " AFFAIRS 409 



Little Jack Horner, 
Little Jack Horner, 

Sat in a corner on Christmas morning. 
Why was he sitting there? 
Was it to get fresh air, 

Or was he simply the corner adorning? 

There, held upon his lap. 
Touched with a loving tap, 
Was a large Christmas pie 

He had been given. 
His not to reason why, 
His not to make reply. 
His but to eat the pie. 

In pieces riven. 

No knife nor fork he had, 
No spoon to use he had. 
But fingers strong he had 

With which to break it ; 
So he thrust in a thumb — 
Out came a luscious plum. 
" How good I have become ! " 

Said he. " I'll take it." 

VI 

Once upon a Christmas morning, with no word or sign of 

warning, 
In a corner sat Jack Horner with a beauteous Christmas pie; 
As I gazed at him a minute, knowing not how to begin it. 
He had thrust his thumb within it, yes, I saw with my own 

eye. 

In that beauteous Christmas pie. 

Then with joyful exclamation — or, I might say declamation 
Just as truthfully — out from its depths he drew a luscious 
plum, 



410 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

And as you have heard me mention once before, is my con- 
tention, 
He, ignoring all convention, cried, " Hovf good I have become ! 
Why else this luscious plum? " 

VII 

Once on a time, it fell on a beautiful Christmas morning, 
That little Jack Horner alone in a corner w^as sitting. 
With a Christmas pie, full, juicy and very delicious. 
But all unprovided with proper utensils wherewith to serve it. 
Now, Jack was a child who lacked in no wise the power of 

invention. 
And so a way he devised for obtaining the use of its contents 
He simply inserted a thumb, making a hole in the pastry. 
And deftly he drew out a plum, at the same time joyfully 

saying, 
" O what a good boy am I ! " then the dainty morsel devouring. 

VIII 

Oncet I heard my daddy say, 
'At one lovely Christmas Day 
Jackie Horner was a-sittin' 
In a corner — not a-knittin'; 
But he had a grea' big pie. 
An' he put his fum in — my! 
Wisht 'at I could do it too; 
An' he pulled a big plum froo. 
An' he said: "How dood I am! 
Pie's lot's better 'an just jam." 

Answers : i, Spenser ; 2, Shakespeare ; 3, Browning ; 4, 
Owen Meredith; 5, Tennyson; 6, Poe; 7, Longfellow; 8, Riley. 

A Magazine Party 

It isn't hard to plan a party if you know how to enter- 
tain your friends after you bring them together. Inter- 



"LITERARY" AND "ART" AFFAIRS 411 

esting games, if not requiring too much thought, are al- 
ways enjoyed. Why not plan a "Magazine Evening"? 
You could make up a program from the current numbers 
of magazines, asking each friend to come prepared to take 
some part — a recitation from one number, a song from 
another, a humorous reading from another, and so on. 
An exhibition of cartoons from the daily press would be 
enjoyable, for the young men especially. 



A Magazine Romance 

He was a (i) who lived, perchance you know, 

Upon the broad (2) shore' a (3) ago. 

And when the (4) drew near 'twas oft his wont to stray, 

To pace with sauntering step the (s) and view the dying day. 

For lonely was his quiet home, a bachelor he dwelt. 

And never yet the joy of home his eager heart had felt. 

His (6) was his aunt, a stern and stately dame, 

Whose shrewish tongue was all alert, his slightest fault to 

blame 
This (7) there was but an ancient maid. 

And of her mistress stern and harsh forsooth she was afraid, 
A (8) prowled about the house with baleful eyes of green, 
And, perched upon the garden wall, quite frequently was seen. 
But all these now were dead and gone, and lonely dwelt he 

here, 
What wonder that he often said : " My (g) is so drear, 
I care not for the social whirl and no (10) for me; 
But yet from out the (11) I would not exiled be. 
I'm weary of the silent house and of my lonely (12) 
And (13) telling me that I should find a wife." 
At length he met a maiden fair who pleased him well, in truth, 
(14), Skilled was she, indeed, well trained from days of youth. 
An apt (is) also she, for deftly could she play 
Full many a brilliant fantasie and (16) of the day. 
In art she had proficiency and genius, it is true, 



412 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

A good (17) she of many a rural view. 

Like every maiden of (18) she was quite fond of dress, 

A skilled (19) of her clothes, as you of course may guess. 

Said he: "If I am any (20), why, she's a maiden rare; 

I've never seen another girl who could with her compare. 

If I can win her for my bride I'll never cease to boast, 

So I will my proposal send by the (21)." 

When she received his billet-doux then quite perplexed was 
she, 

And said : " To wed him really is a new idea to me, 

But (22) sounds charming, I confess; 

And so unto his eager plea, methinks I'll answer ' Yes.' " 

Amid the joyous holidays they chose their wedding day, 

When jolly old (23) o'er all the world holds sway. 

Their nuptial feast quite festal was in style of olden time, 

For merry (24) blithe did play 'mid cheerful bells a-chime. 

Their honeymoon an (25) was when distant lands they saw, 

No critic in their happiness could find a single flaw. 

And when again to native shores their eager feet did roam, 

Then thanks to her (26) they had a happy home ; 

For with her household management her lord was well con- 
tent; 

An accurate account she wrote of all the cash she spent; 

The {,2^^, kept with care, was quite her joy and pride, 

And e'en an expert auditor no error there espied. 

And so their wedded days were bright and cloudless and 
serene, 

As happy they as any pair in modern magazine. 
Key. I — Country Gentleman. 2 — Atlantic. 3 — Century. 

4 — Sunset. 5 — Strand. 6 — Youth's Companion. 7 — 

Woman's Home Companion. 8 — Black Cat. 9 — Outlook. 

10 — Smart Set. 11 — Ladies' World. 12 — Life. 13 — 

Everybody's. 14 — Housekeeper. 15 — ^ Musician. 16 — Etude. 

17 — Delineator. 18 — Today. 19 — Designer. 20 — Judge. 

21 — Saturday Evening Post. 22 — Country Life in America. 

23 — St. Nicholas. 24 — Harper's. 25 — Outing. 26 — Good 

Housekeeping. 27 — ^ Ladies' Home Journal. 



" LITERARY " AND " ART " AFFAIRS 413 

Literary Menu 

Figs is Pigs. (Thin slices of cold roast pork.) 
Unleavened Bread. (Old-fashioned " salt rising bread.) 
Marching through Georgia, small portion. (Sweet Po- 
tatoes.) 
Cabbages and Kings, one half. (Cabbage salad.) 
Mixed Pickles. (Which speaks for itself.) 
The Fruit of the Tree. (Bananas, oranges, plums, 
pears, apples, cherries, peaches, figs, dates, etc.) 



A Quotation Contest 

We had a very pleasant time the other evening and 
found the game we played original in its arrangement. It 
was called a " Quotation Contest." To play it the various 
articles mentioned below are to be numbered and arranged 
in different parts of the room, and are to suggest the ac- 
companying quotations, while the guests are given paper 
and pencils to write the suggestions as in a book party : 

1. Cups of tea (" Cups that cheer but not inebriate "). 

2. Rose labeled " Tulip " ("A rose by any other name 

would smell as sweet"). 

3. Soap and Bible (" Cleanliness is indeed next to god- 

liness"). 

4. Candle ("How far that little candle throws his 

beams ! "). 

5. Toy horse ("A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a 

horse ! "). 

6. Feathers (" Fine feathers do not make fine birds "). 

7. Stocking with a hole in it ("A stitch in time saves 

nine "). 

8. Washboard ("There's the rub"). 



414 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

9. Slipper soles ("Two souls with but a single 
thought "). 

10. Teapot ("Tempest in a teapot"). 

11. Pansies (" Pansies, that's for thoughts"). 

12. Music (" Music hath charms to soothe the savage 

breast "). 

13. Plaster head ("And still the wonder grew 

That one small head could carry all he knew"). 

14. Frying-pan (" Out of the frying-pan into the fire "). 

15. Stone ("The stone that is rolling can gather no 

moss "). 

16. Broken glass with rose petals ("You may break, 
you may shatter the vase if you will, but the scent of 
the roses will hang round it still"). 

17. Empty goblet with pair of spectacles (" Drink to me 

only with thine eyes"). 

18. Heart (" 'Tis love that makes the world go round "). 

19. Star ("Twinkle, twinkle, little star"). 

20. Purse (" Who steals my purse steals trash"). 

21. Short story ("And thereby hangs a tale"). 

2^2. A broken chain ("A chain is as strong as its weak- 
est link "). 

A Very Up-to-Date Game 

The new game of " Popular Inventions " fits in nicely 
with the magazine-party idea. To each player is given a 
card on which are numbers from i to 10. Each player 
must then guess individually the inventions represented 
by rimes which are written upon ten separate cards, each 
bearing a number from i to 10. If the company is large 
several copies of the set of cards should be provided. 
These rimes are handed about among the players until 
the game is called to a close. 



"LITERARY" AND "ART" AFFAIRS 415 

A prize is given for the nearest correct list of inven- 
tions. Rhymes made humorous as far as possible, are 
suggested for the purpose. 

A phonetic " Spelling Bee " would be another good 
contest for which prizes similar to the others may be 
given. 



Try a " Telephone Party " 

A " Telephone Party " is a good idea when arranging an 
impromptu affair. Telephone to your guests, asking them 
to come for the evening if they are at leisure. The game 
of " Telephone Tests " is a good one at such a party. All 
the accessories needed for any number of players are a 
disconnected desk telephone, a small bell and a suitable 
score-card and a pencil for each guest. These may be eas- 
ily prepared by cutting telephone advertisements from 
magazines. The game consists in guessing, from the half 
of a series of telephone conversations held, who the per- 
sons are at the other end of the line. A bell out of sight 
rings. The hostess takes down the receiver of the discon- 
nected 'phone and appears to find that a certain member 
of the company is wanted. This individual has been pre- 
viously coached, and, from memory or by means of a con- 
cealed slip of paper, carries on a conversation over the 
'phone. To illustrate: 

The hostess has announced that all the talks will be with 
Dickens characters. The first conversation may be like 
this: 

Hello ! 

{Delighted) : Oh, I say! How are you, old fellow? 
{Surprise and dismay) : Why? What's the matter? 
Where are you anyway? 



4i6 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

(More surprise) : What are you doing in that little out- 
of-the-way place? 

(Completely astonished) : An assistant school-teacher ! 
You! You certainly have courage. 
\_Longer pause and listening attentively. 

(Sympathetically) : Well, you are in a nice fix! Why 
don't you " beat it," as the boys say ? 

(Laughing) : Well, beat him then. So much the better. 

(Interested) : What's that? A girl fallen in love with 
you? Ha, ha! 

(Surprised) : The schoolmaster's daughter. Why, 
you're in luck ! 

(Laughing) : Hard luck ? Oh no, you don't mean that. 
What's her name ? 

(Puzzled) : Fannie wh-a-a-t ? Oh ! Squeers — Whew ! 
I don't blame her for wanting to change it. Well, keep 
me posted, old boy. So long. 

The guests record their guesses, and other conversations 
follow: only speakers with voices that can be heard 
easily and understood should be asked to carry on a 
conversation. 

The imaginary people may be well-known authors, 
characters from some author's works, or famous men in 
history. Or they may be prominent Americans of to-day, 
with a local celebrity or two interspersed for spice, care 
being taken to avoid giving offense. 

Hearing one end of a telephone conversation always sets 
one's mind to work to supply the other half and guess the 
speaker, so this game is sure to stimulate thought and in- 
terest. 

For prizes the glass telephones that come filled with 
Candy would be appropriate and the favors might be the 
tiny 'phones that come on cakes of chocolate. 



" LITERARY " AND " ART " AFFAIRS 417 

A Progressive Art Party 

The following invitation w^ould be appropriate for a 
party of this kind: 

A knowledge of art 

I wish to impart, 

To help you with your education. 

On Friday next come 

At eight to my home, 
Accepting this rimed invitation. 

The invitations may be written on cards cut in the form 
of palettes, and decorated with spots of water-color paint. 

The room should be decorated with unframed pictures 
and posters, and five tables should be provided, one for 
each class. The first table, devoted to Modeling, is pro- 
vided with plastercine or modeling clay. Each contestant 
is requested to model the fi.gure of an animal, a bird or a 
flower. 

At the second table should be seated the sketching classi, 
the members of which are provided with squares of coarse 
muslin and heavy black thread. Here the task assigned is 
to sketch the outline of an animal, using simply the thread, 
it being forbidden to make a pencil outline to guide the 
stitches. 

The Portrait class is assigned to the third table, and 
for materials the hostess should provide wooden picnic 
plates and penny boxes of crayons, the object of the con- 
test being to make a portrait of the right-hand neighbor, 
using the picnic plate as a plaque. 

At the fourth table " Futurist Art " is studied. Provide 
squares of drawing paper, colored confetti and paste, the 
object being to make a picture from this material. 

The fifth table is devoted to Sculpture, and is provided 



4i8 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

with large, smooth potatoes, and paring knives. Each 
" student " is required to carve some figure from the po- 
tato. 

For the last table the hostess should have in readiness 
a couple of boxes of water colors such as may be ob- 
tained at the five-cent store, and also uncolored post cards 
or pictures such as may be purchased for one cent each. 
The water-color class is allowed to color these cards, as 
artistically as possible. 

Fifteen minutes should be allowed for the work at each 
table, the students progressing to the next at the expira- 
tion of this time. After the work is all complete, the 
" works of art " are exhibited and the guests who have 
displayed the most artistic ability receive prizes. 

If an additional contest is desired, the hostess may pro- 
vide each guest with a bag containing fifty beans to rep- 
resent money, and also a " catalogue of works of art." 
These latter are then auctioned off by a witty person. 
The auctioneer should so manage that each person re- 
ceives at least one package. 

These parcels should not be opened until the close of the 
auction. 

The following articles could appropriately be offered as 
" works of art : " 

Horse Fair. Some hay and oats. 

The Tutor. A toy trumpet. 

A Study of Greece. Vaseline box. 

The Fortune Teller. A daisy. 

The " Lost Chord." A piece of shop string. 

Black Beauty. A pickaninny doll. 

The Tie that Binds. A cravat. 
Author of our National A key. 
Anthem. 



" LITERARY " AND " ART " AFFAIRS 419 

The Beau and the Belle. Small bell tied with a bow. 

Downfall of China. Broken teacup, etc. 

The Fairy Spinner. A toy spider. 

A Drive through the Nail driven through a piece 

Woods. of board. 

View of Castile. Cake of soap. 

Spring, Beautiful Spring. An old chair spring. 

Wayworn Travelers. Old shoes. 

The Lamplighter. A match. 

The Midnight Hour. The number 12 written on a 

card. 

Maid of Orleans. Molasses candy. 

A Student Reunion 

The informal " Students' Reception " at the beginning 
of the college year is becoming quite popular in a great 
many churches. The following suggestions are suitable 
for entertaining large crowds of young people, either in 
the church parlors or in the school. College and high- 
school pennants may be used for the decorations. If a 
good mixer is used at the beginning of the evening to 
" break the ice " the social is almost sure to be a success. 
For this purpose the following might be used : 

"Mix-Up Acquaintance Maker" — Give to each guest 
a number, to be pinned in a conspicuous place on coat or 
waist ; also give to each a slip of paper bearing directions 
to be followed. For example, slips may be written as fol- 
lows: 

" Shake hands with No. 7 and No. 8." 
" Find No. 3 and introduce to No. 4." 
" Find No. 10 and talk about the weather." 
In writing the directions care should be taken to use 
each number the same number of times, so that each guest 



420 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

may meet as many others as possible. If the company is 
about equally divided give odd numbers to the gentle- 
men and even numbers to the ladies. 

The Seven-Girl Program. — After this, in carrying out 
the evening's program, the young men are supposed to fol- 
low the example of the lonesome hero of a college tale, 
Vi^ho, being a bit homesick, planned a week full of pleasure 
to divert his mind, and arranged that each evening should 
be spent in the company of a different young lady. Pro- 
grams should be arranged as follows, with blank lines left 
to be filled in with the names of the young ladies: 

Monday Flag Rush 

Tuesday A Social Call 

Wednesday Initiation 

Thursday Musical Festival 

Friday Invited to Dine (Cafeteria Plan) 

Saturday , Glee Club Concert 

Sunday , ." Seeing Nelly Home " 

The Flag Rush. — A man should mount a high stand, his 
hands filled with tiny American flags. The young men. 
after finding seats for their partners, gather a certain dis- 
tance from the table. The flags are then flung out over 
the crowd and each man endeavors to capture as many as 
possible, for his partner. 

The Social Call. — The young men " call upon " their 
chosen ladies and enjoy conversation. 

Initiation. — Each man is required to perform three 
given stunts, his partner to decide whether they are done 
fairly. 

Musical Festival. — This may consist of a varied but 
brief program. 

Refreshments are served in " cafeteria style," the guests 
helping themselves. 



" LITERARY " AND " ART " AFFAIRS 421 

The " Glee Concert " includes college songs, old and 
new. 

Amusing readings may be interspersed. 

" Seeing Nelly Home " is played at the end of the even- 
ing, as a courteous suggestion that it is time to depart. 

Short-Cut College Course 

The following social affair was given to welcome stu- 
dents upon their return to their college town one autumn. 
It chances that it was given by a Presbyterian church, but 
any other denomination might follow the same plan. 

All students and young people received an invitation 
to attend the session of the " Presbyterian University " on 
Friday evening. Curiosity was, of course, aroused, and, 
upon arriving at the church, temporarily called the " Uni- 
versity," everyone was ushered into a room where he or 
she was required to register. Each person then received 
a card, about three by five inches in size, with his name on 
one side and on the other was printed the course of study, 
as follows: 

PRESBYTERIAN UNIVERSITY 
Course of Study 
Required Subjects Elective Subjects 

Athletics Vocal Music 

Chemistry Reading 

Agriculture Violin 

Domestic Science 
Geology 
Forestry 

Signature of Secretary 



After enrollment seats were assigned, and when all the 
guests had assembled a bell was tapped and the " pretend " 



422 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

faculty, about fourteen in number, wearing real college 
caps and gowns, entered and took seats on the rostrum. 
Someone introduced the president of the faculty and 
school began. 

The Vocal Music class came first. This proved to be a 
vocal solo, by a charming young lady, and the students' 
part was to listen. 

For the class in reading the audience listened to a selec- 
tion given by a good reader. 

The lesson on the violin likewise consisted of a choice, 
well-rendered selection with piano accompaniment. 

Athletics came next. For this the faculty stood in a 
row and every student of " Presbyterian University " was 
compelled to pass the length of the receiving line and 
shake hands. Each student then passed into an adjoining 
room, where there were tiny booths for the remaining 
classes. 

The agriculture lesson consisted in going to the agricul- 
ture booth and being served with peanuts. The geology 
booth served rock candy. The domestic science class 
was served with delicious cake, while the chemistry class 
was served lemonade. Forestry was last and there one 
received a toothpick. 

As each booth was passed, the keeper, or teacher as they 
were called, put her signature to that subject on the 
student's card. When the card was signed by each teacher 
it was given to the secretary, who sat at a table ready to 
take the cards. A short social period followed, during 
which time a committee was signing the names found on 
the cards on tiny diplomas printed for the purpose. A 
second committee tied them with narrow ribbon and at- 
tached each owner's name by a slip of paper. 

A bell tapped and all were seated. This was " Com- 



" LITERARY " AND " ART " AFFAIRS 423 

mencement " time, and as each name was called the owner 
came forward and received his diploma. The diplomas 
were eight by five inches in size, and read as follows : 

PRESBYTERIAN UNIVERSITY 
Name of Town 

This Diploma certifies that (name) has 

satisfactorily completed the course of study required for 
graduation in this University, and is herewith granted the 
degree of X. Y. Z. This degree will insure the holder a warm 
welcome at any or all services at the Presbyterian Church. 

Given at (town) , (state) , by the 

faculty of the Presbyterian University, this day of 

September, 19 — . 

Signed , 

President. 

These plans might be used as well at any time during 
the year, and the College Social which follows would be 
a novel means of raising money for church or school 
needs. Members of the committee in charge wore pla- 
cards showing their position on the faculty, as follows: 
President, Physical Director, Teacher of Botany, Biology, 
Forestry, Chemistry, the Dean, the Registrar, Teacher of 
Geology, Mathematics, President of the Senior Class, 
Junior Class, Sophomore Class, and Freshman Class. 

Over the Registrar's desk hung a placard announcing: 

Registration Fee, 10 cents 

Choose Studies Now ! 

Pay for Studies When You Take Them 

Under this was a list of studies, the key of which was 
known only to the committee. 



424 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Subjects Price Key 

Botany 3 cents Lettuce Sandwiches 

Biology 2 cents Animal Crackers 

Forestry i cent Toothpicks 

Chemistry 2 cents Lemonade 

Geology I cent Rock Candy 

Mathematics 2 cents (Nuts to crack) Peanuts 

Each applicant received a program, on the back of 
which he wrote his choice of studies, and, on payment 
of a fee, programs were O.K.'d by the Registrar and they 
were sent to the Dean's Office. 

THE PROCRAM 

1. Registration 8.00 P. M, 

2. Class Formation 8.30 " 

(Get your class yell ready) 

(Choose contestants for class games) 

3. President's Reception 8.45 " 

4. Junior Prom 9.15 " 

5. Class games 9.25 " 

6. Final Exams 10.00 " 

7. Commencement (to go home) 10.30 " 

In the Dean's office the applicant was examined (with a 
foolish question) to find out what class he or she belonged 
in. When the Dean decided the class the applicant was 
given a tiny paper pennant to pin on, a green flag denoting 
the Freshman Class ; orange, the Sophomore ; blue, the 
Junior; red, the Senior. The applicants were then sent 
to the gymnasium to join their classmates. 

Here the Class Presidents took charge; the yells were 
composed, and contestants signed up for games. 

The " President's Reception " was a short entertainment 
of stunty character, beginning with a " Stump Speech " 
by the President. 



" LITERARY " AND " ART " AFFAIRS 425 

The " Junior Prom " was a grand march in couples, 
ending in a large circle. Grand right and left for a min- 
ute, then a halt was called. The marchers were told to 
talk to their present partners for two minutes and a gen- 
eral topic of conversation was given. This was repeated 
till time was up. 

The " Class Games " were the usual stunts and games 
used in an athletic meet. A tin cup suitably inscribed 
with black paint was presented to the president of the win- 
ning class. 

" Final Exams " were refreshments. Each teacher 
brought out small tables, upon which, done up in paper 
napkins, she had suitable portions of her study. It was 
announced that Freshmen would see teachers first, then 
Sophomores, etc. When each had received and paid for 
chosen studies it was announced that on payment of price 
any study might be taken. 

Everyone went home with recollections of an enjoyable 
social, and several dollars were added to the treasury. 



CHAPTER XXI 
SEWING PARTIES 

At an afternoon sewing party the hostess distributed 
panel-shaped cards with gay little pencils attached, and 
asked each guest to write upon her card a list of words 
as she read them aloud; and said that half an hour would 
be allowed for them to write their answers opposite each 
word. The question was asked, " What do you consider 
the most appropriate kind of cloth or trimming for the 
people listed on your cards to buy? Let your answer con- 
sist of one word that will describe either the fabric or the 
pattern or the color of suitable clothing for the personages 
on your cards ; and the reply must refer directly to the oc- 
cupation of its wearer." Or, you might write each ques- 
tion on a separate card, having each guest try to answer 
one question. Failing to answer, the question goes to the 
whole company for a guess. Here is the list: 

The Artist should dress in The Scotchman, in Plaids 

Canvas The Prisoner, in Stripes 

The Gardener, in Lawn The Government Ofificial, in 
The Dairyman, in Cheese- Red Tape 

cloth The Architect, in Blueprint 

The Editor, in Print The Minister, in Broadcloth 

The Banker, in Checks The Jeweler, in Cotton 

The Hunter, in Duck The Undertaker, in Crape 

The Hairdresser, in Hair- The Barber, in Mohair 
cloth (Does he not mow hair?) 

426 



SEWING PARTIES 427 

CHARADE GREETING 

If you can use a paintbrush you might print a charade 
greeting on a sheet of white cardboard: " My first, I hope 
you are. My second, I see you are. My whole, I know 
you are." Guessing the charade forms an easy topic of 
conversation. The answer is " Well-come." 

For Embroidery Clubs 

I want to tell you about an idea which would be just 
the thing if you should wish to entertain your " Embroid- 
ery Club." If you desire to have a little dinner or lunch- 
eon, embr-oidery-bag place-cards would delight the girls, I 
am sure. The cards are cut bag-shape and painted in imi- 
tation of pretty patterns of silk with real ribbon run 
through two little slits in the card. The monogram of 
each girl on one of the bags would mark her place. 

Write on the back of each place-card one of the fol- 
lowing conundrums. The question is : " What kind of 
material should be made into a shirtwaist for the lady 
named?" The answers are: Hunter's wife, Duck; Girl 
who loves money, Cashmere; Dairymaid, Cheesecloth; 
Girl whose eyesight is poor. Dimity; Literary girl, Bril- 
liantine; Girl on her vacation. Outing flannel; Fat woman, 
Broadcloth; Woodchopper's wife. Corduroy; For all 
Americans, Liberty silk; Shepherdess, Alpaca; Musical 
girl, Organdy. 

A Sewing Party 

A dozen girls (the number may easily be increased or de- 
creased) may be asked to come at quarter-past three, each 
bringing with her some piece of work which could be 
begun and finished in an hour and a half. Everything 
should be made ready, but no actual sewing is to be done 



428 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

beforehand. When the guests arrive they find waiting for 
them three tables, and at each table four chairs. At each 
place is a tiny bag made out of ribbon, those at one table 
being pink, at another blue, etc. In every bag is a square 
of cardboard with a number on it (up to the number of 
guests). Place-cards with pencils attached mark the 
seats. At half-past three the signal for work is given, and 
until five the sewing bee is on. If the tables are placed 
near each other in the same room or in adjoining rooms 
the conversation need not be limited to those of ons's table. 

NINETY MINUTE SEWING 

At five o'clock the hostess requests each person to stop 
sewing whether her article is finished or not, place what 
she has done on the table and put on it the number found 
in her bag. On the back of each place-card is written : 

Prettiest 
Most Useful - 

and, with card and pencil in hand, the guests are told to 
make the round of the tables, examining the things dis- 
played, and put down, their votes by number. While re- 
freshments are being served these cards are collected and 
compared. To the person whose article receives a ma- 
jority of " Prettiest " votes is given a silk workbag ; to the 
one whose effort is found " Most Useful " a darning bag of 
pretty cretonne; while to her who has been too slow to 
finish at all is presented a calico button bag as a booby 
prize. 

If the sewing bee is given just before Christmas it may 
be called a " Christmas Present Party," with articles suit- 
able for presents (a fine way to gain new ideas !), or can 
be turned into a shower for a bride-to-be or for one about 
to start on a journey, and the things, when finished, may 



SEWING PARTIES 429 

be given to the guest of honor. At first it may seem 
impossible to find anything which can be entirely made in 
so short a time, but there are many such possibilities — 
bags, needlecases, dusters, aprons, etc. 

Sewing Race 

A second idea for a sewing party is the " Sewing Race." 
In this case the hostess provides the work, having it the 
same for each guest. She may have them featherstitch 
dusters, make bags, hem napkins (which is a good way to 
help out an engaged girl). The object is to see who can 
do the most work in a given time when all start together, 
work on the same things and under the same conditions. 
Prizes may be given the ones who accomplish most. 

Gussets and Gores 

You have heard of the game where the men are tested 
for their knowledge of gussets and gores while the girls 
are probed for their ignorance of men's affairs: but have 
you ever tried testing the girls themselves on problems of 
their own department ? Send out invitations for a " Sew- 
ing School," but neglect to mention that it will be exam- 
ination day, lest any be afraid to come. The hostess pro- 
vides the material, though each guest may be asked to 
bring her " reticule." A more elaborate party may be 
made if the sewing kits are given by the hostess as favors. 
No special arrangement of rooms is necessary, though it is 
well to have tables within easy reach of chair groups for 
convenience in holding materials, scissors, etc. 

Announce that this is examination day and that the first 
question will be to illustrate the difference between a 
French seam and a felled one. To every " pupil " give 
three small pieces of cotton cloth — any kind — taking 



430 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

care that the pieces are about the same size. Three inches 
by six is plenty large. Allow a certain time, eight or ten 
minutes, for this. The second " question " is on gather- 
ing, shirring and gauging. Give three pieces of cloth 
as before and allow about the same amount of time. Task 
number three may be to illustrate a gusset, number four 
a gore, number five a patch, number six a hem, number 
seven tucks. For the patch it is well to use figured mate- 
rial and in the center of one piece cut a square hole, this to 
be patched by another piece of the same goods. 

When the last " question " has been " answered " have 
each lay her finished work together on a table, with her 
name pinned on it. Competent judges (if a mother and 
a grandmother can be procured they are much the best!) 
decide on the merits of the work, and rewards are given 
to those whose marks are highest. 

None of these entertainments call for much preparation 
or expense. Refreshments may be served during the 
sewing examination or during a half-hour's " recess " in 
the middle of the afternoon, and both they and the prizes 
may be as simple or as elaborate as the hostess desires. 

Matchmaking 

A very appropriate game for the sewing club is the 
game of " Matchmaking." Cut four times as many 
square cards as you have guests. Let the hostess explain 
that half of the cards are conundrum descriptions of the 
articles sketched on the other half. She should shuffle the 
cards thoroughly and have every guest draw out four. 
The game is to match the cards. Let the one who has the 
card reading 

There's an opening for me, but when I go through 
I close it behind me and inclose you; 



SEWING PARTIES 431 

sharpen her wits till she unravels it to mean " a button," 
then go in search of the card with the button sketched 
thereon. 

If somebody has the conundrum reading 

Oh, I have tied the flowers for the, bride 

At many a costly weddin', 
I have embraced the fragile waist 

Of many a dainty maiden, 

and unravels it to mean " a ribbon," though she may have 
the card sketched or adorned with a ribbon she does not 
forfeit it until asked for it personally. 

When all have been matched the one who holds the 
largest number of matched cards wins the game, and may 
be awarded a trophy. 

Any bright conundrums may be used, but these are or- 
iginal : 

I go racing through the long, wide casing. 

Where a needle would lose its way; 
I make a clearing as I go careering 

Carrying big threads where I may ! 

(Bodkin.) 

Two of me makes one. 

We are only complete together, 
We are always hand-in-hand 

Through clear or cloudy weather; 
And most of the weal and the woe on our track 
We usually accomplish behind your back ! 

(Hook and Eyes.) 

Think of a camel 

And then think of me. 
Though I cannot bear burdens 

I am greater than he; 



432 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

He's a ship of the desert 

And sails on dry land, 
But I go where he cannot — 

Do you understand? 

(Thread.) 

If you pull me out and then let me loose 

I will go back together again, 
I will give as you give and relax as you do, 

And I think that is best in the main. 

(Elastic.) 

I am as old as that ancient man 
With whom the art of reckoning began; 
And I am too old to learn new tricks, 
So I never count farther than thirty-six; 
But I can sum you up in passing, and tell 
If you stand high or low, and tell it well ! 

(Yardstick.) 

I am pointed and brassy, I know, 

But I stick through my work with a will; 

Though I sometimes give you pain 
I hold things together still! 

(Pin.) 

A Tea Party 

Time was when tea caused us a great deal of trouble, 
historically speaking, but all troubles pass and we now en- 
joy the cheering beverage to the full, and the combination 
of sewing and tea parties is very popular, with informal 
entertaining features. Such a party is really outlined in 
an invitation of this kind written on large sized corre- 
spondence cards: 

Tilda Tillotson says, says she: 
" Come To my house for a Taste of Tea. 
Travel by Trolley, or Train or car, 



SEWING PARTIES 433 

Or Tramp The Trail, if it's not Too far. 
In The month of June, The Time will be 
Tuesday, The Twelfth, 'Twixt Two and Three 
Thread and Thimble be sure To Take, 
Tucks, or Tatting, or Things To make. 
Try To Tell us a Tale or Two, 
Teach a Trick, or a riddle new, 
Trill a Tune, or a Trifling rime. 
And Tarry here Till it's dinner Time. 
Hearty and True will your welcome be." 
So Tilda Tillotson says, says she. 



For the Thimble Club 

If the Thimble Club is to be entertained, you may like 
to write to the other members this: 

This " pure linen square " doth invite you 

To spend a few hours with me 
During holiday week ; bring your sewing 

And we'll chat o'er a cup of tea. 

There will be games and gossip for a while, and then 
when it is time to have the more than usually substantial 
" tea " the place cards will occasion a great deal of merri- 
ment. The verses must be nicely hand printed on linen 
correspondence cards and the souvenirs suggested at- 
tached. On the reverse side will be the guest's name. 

" You're my nearest of kin," said the tape. 

The dull needle all kinship denied. 
"You've an eye and can't see a relation? 

You're my bod-kin," — the tape replied. 
(Attach bodkin to card with baby ribbon or white tape.) 

" And how is it with you, 

Are your spirits high or low ? " 



434 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

And the needle sharp with tearful eye 
Replied, " Oh ! just sew sew." 
{Attach package of assorted needles.) 

A piece of cloth to a scissors said, 
" You're sharp — you are very bright." 
" Oh, cut that stuff out," the shears replied, 

" Of me you are making light." 
(Attach small pair of embroidery or other scissors.) 

" You're only a lump of wood, dear friend," 

Said a saucy bit of cotton. 
" Oh, you're not so much," the spool replied, 

" I've heard folks say you're rotten." 
(Attach a spool of white cotton thread.) 

"We're attached to each other," said Mr. Hook. 
" Your bright eye has quite captured my heart. 
Let's live out our lives together 
We ne'er could be happy apart." 
(Attach card of hooks and eyes.) 

I surely lead an upright life 

From sin I'm holey free. 
Yet why will folks say " Darn it ! " 

Whene'er they look at me ? 
(Attach ball of darning cotton.) 

I'm like a poor little neglected orphan; 

My usefulness all gone to waste. 
'Cause mother is always so hurried 

She simply won't take time to baste 
(Attach spool of basting cotton.) 

" A stitch in time saves nine " 
The old-time girl was " loint." 



SEWING PARTIES 435 

In these strenuous days a pin saves time — 
I trust you see the point. 
(Attach paper of pins.) 

As bandage is to a surgeon, 

I am a dressmaker's first aid. 
Bind carefully all raw edges 

With the finest of finishing braid. 
(Attach card of finishing braid.) 

SEWING PARTY REFRESHMENTS 

For a luncheon given to members of a club devoted to 
needlev^^ork, a unique and appropriate place card may be 
made by copying the children's sewing cards. Sew the 
guest's names in color and work a tiny cross stitch border 
around the card. It is more effective if a tinted card is 
used instead of white. 

For a suitable menu serve : 

Ribbon Sandwiches 
Cambric Tea 
Shirr-het 

A Button Party 

This party w^as arranged by a couple of school girls 
who complained of never finding time to sew buttons on. 
The first rainy day the following invitations were mailed 
in the morning and evening found all the girls assembled 
ready for a sew. 

Miss Betsy Button 

Requests the pleasure of your company 

At a Button Bee this evening, at eight, 

Please bring all buttons and things 

that buttons &re needed on, 



436 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

A prize of a dainty little work box was given to the girl 
who sewed on the most buttons during the evening. 

Progressive Sewing Party 

To deviate from the conventional sewing party it oc- 
curred to one hostess to have a " progressive " one. 
Wishing to invite twenty- four guests she decided to divide 
the number into groups of three, making eight in each 
group. The dining room and living room were thrown 
together. In the dining room were placed eight chairs 
on either side of the table, this being a dividing line for 
the two groups. The other group were placed in the liv- 
ing room. 

Porch Sewing Parties 

In the autumn the housewife's thoughts turn to the win- 
ter sewing and to the redecoration of her home, and she is 
full of enthusiasm over the latest ideas and fads in fancy- 
work which she has brought home from the seashore or 
mountain resort where the fancy-work devotees have 
rocked and sewed on hotel porches. So she wants to 
bring together the members of her sewing circle or em- 
broidery club to compare the latest ideas • — and to talk. 

A Needle Festival 

Nearly every woman who does fancy-work is asked 
some time during the autumn to contribute fancy-work 
to a bazaar, or perhaps the sewing circle or the club will 
want to give a bazaar for a charity. This leads me to ask 
if you have heard that the Japanese have what they call 
a " Needle Festival " on the eighth of December. All 
women on this day lay aside the needle and amuse them- 



SEWING PARTIES 437 

selves by indulging in recreation to suit their fancy. It is 
supposed to indicate a divisional line betv^^een the old 
year's work and the nev^^. This Japanese idea might be a 
very appropriate name for a bazaar given over entirely to 
the needlecraft of women, and the plans might be laid at 
these reunions. 

For the luncheon-table why not carry out the idea 
of a Priscilla sewing-table? Deep-toned yellow chrysan- 
themums decorate this quaint table, in the center of 
which, industriously intent upon her daily stint, sits 
Priscilla herself in her little homespun gown, buckled shoes 
and snowy cap and kerchief. Flowers may be easily made 
of paper if otherwise unobtainable. 

Four tall candles in low brass holders stand amid the 
golden blossoms strewn carelessly over the cloth. The 
favors are alternately desk tapers in miniature candlesticks 
of the same pattern as the larger ones, and tiny gilt work- 
baskets, satin-lined, containing thimbles and scissors just 
fit for a fairy. At each place is also a " reticule " of white 
crepe paper adorned with chrysanthemums, filled with the 
old-fashioned peppermints, cardamom seeds and bits of 
snakeroot and cinnamon bark in which our great-great- 
grandmothers took decorous delight. 

FABRIC CONUNDRUMS 

If you wish a game to play at the table, into the little 
sewing-basket favors, which come three inches high, you 
might place a folded paper containing these fabric conun- 
drums : 

1. That which the waves do. 

2. An isthmus. 

3. To cut grass and part of the head. 

4. Wide and a fabric. 



438 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

5. A stretch of well-kept grass. 

6. Indistinct, a pronoun and a beverage. 

7. A musical instrument and a letter. 

8. A native of a European Nation. 

9. To pretend and the noise of a mule. 

10. To have arrived and a building material. 

11. To have fractured and assistance. 

12. The future of " am " and a letter. 

13. A species of poultry. 

14. Money and a name for a body of water. 

15. A girl's name. 

16. The past of " to seat one's self " and a preposition. 

Answers — Serge, Panama, Mohair, Broadcloth, Lawn, 
Dimity, Organdy, Swiss, Chambray, Cambric, Brocade, 
Challis, Duck, Cashmere, Henrietta, Satin, 



CHAPTER XXII 

" MIXERS," PARTNER FINDERS AND 
JOLLY NOVELTIES 

There are many ways of finding partners for games and 
refreshments. One method is to distribute cards, each 
bearing the name of some well-known character in fiction 
or in " Mother Goose." The cards for the young men may 
bear such names as " Juliet," " Jill," " Miss Muffet," etc. ; 
those for the girls the names of male characters appearing 
in the same stories, as " Romeo," " Jack," " The Spider," 
etc. 

Ribbon Partners 

Another way consists of inviting the girls to the sec- 
ond story, where an open stairway having balusters is 
available. Each girl chooses a long piece of baby ribbon, 
which she throws over the balusters ; men below select rib- 
bons thus thrown, without seeing the owners of the rib- 
bons ; the ribbons are then gently pulled, the girls descend- 
ing to the first story, where they meet the men who have 
the other ends of their ribbons ; a spray of flowers may be 
tied to each end. 

Flower Partners 

A pretty way consists in passing two baskets, one to the 
men of the party, the other to the girls, each filled with a 
variety of flowers, the contents of both baskets, however, 
439 



440 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

being alike; the man and the girl who select similar flow- 
ers are partners. Riddles may be used for this purpose, 
conundrums being distributed to the men, answers to the 
girls; those having questions and answers to the same 
conundrum being partners. 

Chairless Partners 

Other ways are as follows: Two circles about chairs 
are formed, one of men and one of girls ; when music is 
played girls and men circle about the chairs, each one try- 
ing for a seat ; when the music suddenly stops the man and 
girl left over are partners; a chair is removed from each 
circle and the game continued until all are paired off. 

Bird or Beast Partners 

Give each of the ladies a small blank card and a pencil 
and ask each to write on the card the name of a bird or a 
beast of which she would recognize the cry or call. Then 
have the cards gathered up and passed to the gentlemen, 
who should sit in a row at the opposite side of the room, 
away from the ladies. After each man has received a 
card with the name of some bird or animal thereon, the 
one at the head of the line should imitate to the best of 
his ability the creature's cry. For instance, a rooster 
would crow; a cow would moo; etc. The young lady 
recognizing the cry of her " animal " would step forth and 
claim him. The next man in line would make his call, 
and so on until all are recognized and claimed as partners. 

" Eyeing " Your Partner 

This game should be played very early in the evening, 
as it tends to remove all stiffness, besides fixing the names 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 441 

fairly well in the memory: Give to each guest a little 
booklet, heart-shaped or of any other form desired, with a 
pretty, colored-paper cover and containing several blank 
white sheets. On the first page, at the top, have written 
" Blue Eyes ; " on the third page, " Brown. Eyes ; " on the 
fifth, "Black Eyes;" then "Gray Eyes." Give pencils 
also. Then tell each guest to shake hands with everyone 
in the crowd, ascertain the color of the eyes, and write 
the name in his or her own book, in the right section. At 
the end of the game everyone will feel acquainted, and in- 
troductions will be entirely unnecessary. 

The Slang-less Game 

Provide the guests with pencils and paper and tell them 
to write as many slang words and phrases as they can in 
five minutes. Ask each one to sign his name to the list, 
and have someone appointed to collect the sheets and count 
the words. This done, it is announced who had the most 
and who had the fewest, the prize being given unexpect- 
edly to the one who had the fewest. To hear a few of the 
longest lists read is an education in up-to-date slang. 

Musical Snips 

When entertaining a set of friends with whom it may 
be a little difficult to start the merrymaking of the evening 
one of the surest ways to break up formality is to try 
" Musical Snips." This is especially good if one's friends 
are musically inclined. As many inexpensive musical fa- 
vors are obtained as there are to be guests ; the favors need 
not cost more than five cents apiece. Each is tied in a 
paper bag — a fancy one if you care to go to the trouble 
of making it. A circle is formed, and, to lively music, one 



442 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

of the bags is started around. When the music stops the 
person who has the bag drops out of the circle, opens the 
bag and gets his instrument. When all have received the 
favors an attempt may be made to give some favorite 
song of the day in concert. 

The Game of Introduction 

Divide the guests into groups of ten each and appoint 
a leader of each group. The leader of group No. I 
chooses a number of his group and, advancing to group 
No. 2, introduces this number to one of that group; but, 
instead of introducing them as Miss Jones and Mr. Smith, 
he introduces them as famous characters, as George Eliot 
and Rudyard Kipling, or Harriet Beecher Stowe and 
Charles Dickens. The lady who is introduced to Kipling 
must instantly salute him by naming something that made 
him famous. For instance, " Phantom Rickshaw " or any 
other book written by him, and the gentleman must name 
an Eliot production. If they salute each other correctly, 
they are escorted by the leader to a part of the house re- 
served for the successful. A lady may be introduced in 
the character of some famous man. Failing to name some 
book, invention, discovery, event or circumstance that dis- 
tinguishes the character to whom one is introduced, one 
becomes a dunce and must wear a dunce's cap and sit in 
a corner reserved for dunces. The leader of group No. 
I will present members of his group to each of the other 
groups in turn until he has disposed of the nine under his 
care, and then he becomes a member of group No. 2. 

Leader of group No. 2 then introduces his people after 
the same manner. Leaders in turn continue until all are 
introduced. Should one of the persons introduced fail to 
salute the other properly, he becomes a dunce and the 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 443 

leader will present the one who saluted correctly to an- 
other person, using the same characters until both are 
properly recognized. That is, if Thomas Jefferson is be- 
ing introduced to Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney and he fails to 
salute her properly, he becomes a dunce and the leader will 
present Mrs. Whitney to some other Thomas Jefferson. 
(Mrs. Whitney, having already recognized one famous 
character, should not be required to recognize another, but 
must be introduced until some Thomas Jefferson properly 
recognizes her as Mrs. Whitney.) 

When all have been introduced the dunces may be given 
another trial, being introduced this time as states or coun- 
tries and required to salute by naming the capital of the 
country or state to which one is introduced. Mr. Wis- 
consin may be introduced to Miss Maine, Mr. Wisconsin 
saying " Augusta," and Miss Maine saying " Madison." 

Becoming a dunce after a second trial, one will be re- 
quired by the hostess to perform some stunt. The hostess 
will act as judge. 

This game may be played by school children by intro- 
ducing states and countries, and by little ones by using 
the multiplication table, as. Master (7 times 5) may be in- 
troduced to Miss (6 times 3), he saying 18 and she 35. 

A Number Game 

A game that is very successful in breaking the formality 
when there are a good many strangers present is the 
" Number Game." A large figured number, cut from a 
calendar or made with a large lead pencil, is pinned on 
each person, and the leader, provided with a conductor's 
punch, stands and calls one large number at a time, and 
the players get together in groups so that their numbers 
added together total the number called. The leader 



444 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

punches the card of each one of the first group to present 
themselves to the leader. A small prize may be offered to 
the one having the most punches. 



The Game of ioo Questions 

For this contest small slips are prepared beforehand, 
each one containing a question and its answer. There 
should be about ten times as many slips as the number of 
guests expected. The questions may be of every kind im- 
aginable — literary, historical, geographical, mathematical, 
biographical, with a large mixture of conundrums and a 
few allusions of local interest. As each person arrives he 
is furnished with ten of the slips, also a copy of these direc- 
tions : 

Go to some person present and ask him one of your 
questions. If he can answer the question he gets the slip; 
if he cannot answer you, keep the slip, but tell him the 
answer if he wishes to know it. 

Ask each person two questions. 

After you have asked the two questions, this person, 
must in turn ask you two of his questions, so that you 
may have a chance to get some of his slips. Do not ask 
the same question again until you have used all that you 
hold. 

Do not ask the same person questions again until you 
have asked everyone else present. 

If you should lose all your slips, you may obtain more 
from the distributor. 

If it is not convenient to have a set of the rules for 
each person, copies may be posted in places where they can 
be consulted easily. Oral directions are likely to be for- 
gotten. The game may be stopped at any time. The win- 
ner, of course, holds the greatest number of answered 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 445 

questions. A few of the answers may need to be changed 
to be timely, such as those queried. 

Questions 

1 — Name the most noted Chinese philosopher. 

2 — Who said " Early to bed and early to rise makes a man 

healthy, wealthy and wise"? 

3 — Who wrote " Kind hearts are more than coronets and 

simple faith than Norman blood"? 

4 — Which is the " Cracker " state ? 

5 — What is the City of Churches ? 

6 — What battle was fought above the clouds ? 

7 — Who sold his birthright for a mess of pottage? 

8 — Who said, "I came, I saw, I conquered"? 

9 — Who said " I escaped with the skin of my teeth"? 

10 — How many states are there in the Union? 

11 — What is the City of Magnificent Distances? 

12 — What American general was found guilty of treason? 

13 — Who wrote "Innocents Abroad"? 

14 — Who wrote "Ben Hur"? 

15 — 'What city is noted for its manufacture of automobiles? 

16 — What is the largest river in the world? 

17 — Who wrote "To Have and to Hold"? 

18 — Who wrote " The Virginian " ? 

19 — What was the capital of the Southern Confederacy? 

20 — What is the shortest running time between N<,w York 

and Chicago? 

21 — What city is noted for its figs? 

22 — Who was the Quaker poet? 

23 — Who led an army of unemployed to Washington? 

24 — What President escaped impeachment by just one vote? 
25 — ^What milita#y leader was called the "Little Corporal"? 

26 — Was Washington fair or dark ? 

27 — Who was President at the time the White House was 

burned? 

28 — Who was President during the Spanish-American War? 

29 — Who was the leader of the Protestant Reformation? 



446 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

30 — What country is noted for its tea? 

31 — Who said "Go West, young man, go West"? 

32 — ■ Who said " I will fight it out on this line if it takes all 

summer"? 

33 — Who wrote " Paul Revere's Ride " ? 

34 — What President had a son who became President? 

35 — Who wrote the "Acts of the Apostle"? 

36 — 'Which is the only bird that can use both eyes at once in 
looking at an object? 

37 — Where is the United States Naval Academy located? 

38 — Who wrote " The Recessional ? " 

39 — Wlio was called the " Weeping Prophet " ? 

40 — What flower is the emblem of England? 

41 — Who wrote "Little Women"? .^ 

42 — Where are the Philippine Islands ? 

43 — Who was Jacob's wife? 

44 — How much was a mite? 

45 — Who was a noted Kentucky explorer and trapper? 
46 — Which is the "Blue Grass State" ? 

47 — Who wrote " Stars and Stripes Forever ? " 

48 — What city was saved by the cackling of geese? 

49 — What was the most disastrous fire in the United States? 

50 — Who wrote "Pilgrim's Progress"? 

51 — What "vile weed" was discovered in America? 

52 — What prophet was fed by a raven? 
53 — 'Who invented the phonograph? 

54 — What city is noted for its beef ? 

55 — Who said " The world is my parish " ? 
56 — ^Who wrote the "Marble Faun"? 

57 — Who wrote the Battle Hymn of the Republic? 

58 — What color do the Chinese wear for mourning? 
59— What ship laid the Atlantic Cable? 

60 — What is the "Nutmeg" State? 

61 ■^ How many Presidents have been martyrs? 
63 — What creature never sleeps? 

6^^ In what book is " Friday" a prominent character? 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 447 

64 — What was Lincoln's mother's name? 
65 — 'What people invented fireworks? 

66 — What city is the City of Homes ? 

67 — Who discovered the Mississippi? 

68 — What city is noted for its fashions ? 

69 — What was New York formerly called? 

70 — What country is noted for its watches ? 

71 — What was the name of the first steamboat? 

72 — Who wrote " Black Rock " ? 

73 — What was the decisive battle* of the Civil War? 

74 — Who was the blind poet? 

75 — Who said " Give me liberty or give me death " ? 

76 — What is the national flower of Japan? 
"jy — Where are the greatest diamond fields? 

78 — Who is the Speaker of the House of Representatives? 

79 — Who was the founder of the Mormons? 

80 — What General was nicknamed "Unconditional Sur- 

render"? 

81 — Which is the Golden State? 

82 — ■ What city is built upon piles driven into the ground ? 

83 — Who discovered X-Rays ? 

84 — What American city is noted for its potteries ? 

85 — What President was shot down in a railway station? 
86 — ^Who wrote the "House of Seven Gables"? 

87 — Who wrote "Snowbound"? 

88 — What city is called Gotham ? 

89 — Who wrote " Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch " ? 
90^ What President fought the last battle of the War of 

1812? 

91 — What State recently gave women the right of suffrage ? 

92 — Who wrote Rip Van Winkle? 

93 — What prominent Frenchman assisted the Colonies in the 

Revolution ? 

94 — Who purchased the Louisiana Tract ? 

95 — What body of water is nine times saltier than the ocean ? 

96 — Whose picture is on a one-cent stamp ? 



448 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 



97 — 



99- 

100- 



What city is noted for flour ? 

Who gave the United States the " Statue of Liberty " in 

New York harbor? 
Who won the battle of Manila Bay? 
Who was the first man to be taken into heaven without 

dying ? 



AliTSWERS 



I — Confucius. 


30 


2 — Franklin. 


31 


3 — Tennyson. 


22 


4 — Georgia. 


3Z 


5 — Brooklyn. 


34 


6 — Lookout Mountain. 


35 


7 — Esau. 


36 


8 — Julius Cassar. 


27 


9 — Job. 


38 


10 — Forty-eight. 


39 


II — Washington. 


40 


12 — Arnold. 


41 


13 — Mark Twain. 


42 


14 — Lew Wallace. 


y^2 

/ 44 


15 — Detroit. 


16 — Amazon. 


45 


17 — Mary Johnston. 


46 


18 — Owen Wister. 


47 


19 — Richmond. 


48 


20 — Eighteen Hours. 


49 


21 — Smyrna. 


50 


22 — Whittier, 


51- 


23 — Coxey. 


52- 


24 — Johnson. 


53 


25 — Napoleon. 


54- 


26 — Fair. 


55- 


27 — Madison. 


56 


28 — McKinley. 


57- 


29 — Luther. 


58- 



• China. 

■ Horace Greeley. . 

■ Grant. 

- Longfellow. 

■ Adams. 

■ Luke. 

■ Owl. 

■ Annapolis. 

■ Kipling. 

• Jeremiah. 

■ Rose. 
■Louisa Alcott. 

• Southeast of China. 

• Rachel. 

• One-sixth of a cent. 
Daniel Boone. 

• Kentucky. 

■ Sousa. 

• Rome. 
Chicago. 

■John Bunyan. 

Tobacco. 

Elijah. 

Edison. 

Chicago. 
' Wesley. 

Hawthorne.- 

Julia Ward Howe. 

White. 



MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 449 



59 — ^" Great Eastern." 

60 — Connecticut. 

61 — Three. 

62 — Ant. 

63 — Robinson Crusoe. 

64 — Nancy Hanks. 

65 — Chinese. 

66 — Philadelphia. 
(fj — De Soto. 
68— Paris. 

69 — New Amsterdam. 

70 — Switzerland. 

71 — Clermont. 

72 — Ralph Connor. 

73 — Gettysburg. 

74 — Milton. 

75 — Patrick Henry. 

76 — Chrysanthemum. 
"JJ — South Africa. 

78 — [To be looked up.] 
79 — Joseph Smith. 



80 — Grant. 

81 — California. 

82 — Amsterdam. 

83 — Roentgen. 

84 — Trenton. 

85 — Garfield. 

86 — Hawthorne. 

87 — Whittier. 

88 — New York. 

89 — Alice Hegan Rice. 

90 — Jackson. 

91 — ■ California. 

92 — Washington Irving. 

93 — Lafayette. 

94 — Jefferson. 

95 — Dead Sea. 

96 — ■ Franklin. 

97 — Minneapolis. 
98 — France. 

99 — Dewey. 
100 — Enoch. 



Animated Yarns 

" Animated Yarns " is a lively game vi^hich may dis- 
prove the old saying that a girl can't drive a nail. Provide 
each girl with a smooth piece of wood, twelve inches by 
twenty-four, a piece of white paper and a box of tacks. 
Have the girls cover one side of the boards with the paper. 
Next tell them to drive the tacks into their boards, leaving 
about one-third protruding. Let them drive the tacks at 
random, without knowing the object. After the driving is 
completed give to each boy two or three balls of yarn of 
different colors and let each try to make the best picture 
and thereby win a suitable reward. Let the pictures be 
animals, fruits or even landscapes. Much ingenuity may 



450 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

be displayed in this pastime. The yarn must not be broken 
in winding from tack to tack. 



" Thread Sketching " Is Fun 

Each guest is given a piece of white cloth about six 
inches square and a needle threaded with coarse black 
thread. At the top of the square of cloth is printed the 
name of some animal which each must picture with the 
thread. No one is permitted to use a pencil sketch for a 
guide. Fifteen minutes are allowed the artists and they 
begin work with lively interest. Scissors, thread and 
pins are placed on a table where all can help themselves. 
At the end of the fifteen minutes the artists are instructed 
to put some kind of an identification mark on their pic- 
tures and then pin them up on a long strip of bunting 
which is stretched across one side of the room. 

This picture gallery causes a great deal of laughter, as 
the animals are marvelous cartoons and burlesques. The 
inspection of the pictures keeps the guests circulating and 
busily entertained for a while, and then slips of paper and 
pencils are passed and votes taken for the best sketches. 
The prize might be one of the funny little pig, frog or 
turtle tape-measures that may sometimes be obtained at 
notion counters for twenty-five cents. 

Pin Contest 

Another diversion which may be used is a " Pin Con- 
test." For this supply each guest with a saucer and one 
strip of pins from a new package. At a signal each one 
must take out all the pins and place them in the saucer, 
and then within a given time put them back in the same 
holes in the paper. 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 451 

This is not so easy as it seems, as hurried fingers are 
sometimes chimsy ones and the pins must be picked up and 
put in place one at a time. 



A " Futurist " Contest 

Provide a collection of odds and ends, such as needles, 
pins, corks, cotton batting, glue, nutshells, prunes, pickles, 
etc. Arrange these on several small tables, while on a 
center table should be placed in a tin pan filled with saw- 
dus.t, a wooden bird cage and a bowl of water. Decorate 
this room with large placards lettered : " Wonderful 
Creatures We May Live to See." 

Request the guests to make from the materials provided 
the strangest creatures possible, and award a prize to the 
one whose work is the most unique. 

For example, a pickle may be provided with toothpick 
legs, a cranberry tail and whiskers of gilt beads. A prune 
may be decorated with black feathers for wings, while 
shoe buttons serve as eyes. Another s,trange bird may be 
made from a walnut shell with Malaga-grape head, two 
pins crossed serving as a bill, while wings are constructed 
of tissue paper. As soon as each creature is complete, it 
should be placed on the sawdust, in the cage or in water, 
according as it is " beast, bird or fish." 

Costume Race 

For this three couples are chosen. Two suitcases 
(which have seen better days), carefully prepared before- 
hand, are given to each couple while they play. One suit- 
case contains all manner of gentleman's antique clothes, 
a dilapidated hat, a vest, a " swallow-tail " coat, an over- 
coat, 9, pair Qi rubbers, gloves, and a couple of boxes, a 



452 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

flower box and a candy box. The lady's suitcase might 
contain a hat (the style of which is at least ten years old), 
a sweater, a cape, a handbag, gloves and rubbers. 

On the outside of each suitcase, most securely strapped, 
is an umbrella, broken, torn and anything but respectable- 
looking. The clothes are put in topsy-turvy; the sleeves 
mostly turned wrong side out, and no hatpins provided 
for the lady's hat. The suitcases should be strapped in 
the most complicated way with four straps. 

Each couple is required, in a given time, to unfasten the 
suitcase, attire themselves in its contents, fasten it up 
again, open the umbrella and, with their luggage, proceed 
to the other end of the room and back, take off the cos- 
tumes and repack the suitcase as rapidly as possible. This 
will cause no little excitement, as often after getting the 
suitcase strapped up again someone will have left out some 
part of his or her costume. 

A suitable prize for this contest would be one of the 
little traveling bags or suitcases which may be obtained at 
any favor counter for ten cents, and filled with candy. 

t 

Guessing Advertisements 

Get pictures of a number of well-known advertisements 
from pictures in magazines. Pin one to each player and 
the one guessing the largest number of advertisements is 
the winner. A cake of soap, tied daintily with ribbon, 
might be given as a prize, with the following verse: 

You have proved yourself so wide awake. 
You cannot help but take the cake. 

The Billboard Game 

This is a game especially adapted to an advertising 
party. One person is placed before the company with his 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 453 

back turned, and an advertisement is pinned upon him, 
which should be so large as to be plainly seen by the rest. 
It is presumed that the article advertised in some way re- 
sembles the one bearing it, and the " audience " must point 
out ways in which the resemblance is shown. From these 
remarks or questions the person must guess the article ad- 
vertised, and the one whose words furnish the clue must 
take the place of the " billboard," wearing another adver- 
tisement. 

The Game of Rewards 

Cut from magazines as many different illustrated ad- 
vertisements as you expect guests. Mount each picture 
on thin Bristol board, then cut each into five strips or 
pieces and thoroughly mix them. Take a large envelope 
for each advertisement and write on each the following 
rime: 

In this envelope you will find 
Five pieces, each a different kind ; 
Now trade with every one you meet 
Until you've made your " ad " complete ; 
Then quickly to your hostess go: 
She may reward you — don't you know ? 

You can have your advertisements cut into five pieces 
in advance, but be sure to keep each advertisement 
separate and numbered. This can be done by putting 
a rubber band around it. Count your guests, and select 
the same number of advertisements, take off the bands 
and mix them all together, then put five pieces in each 
envelope. 

Have several prizes, some of which are " sells," to give 
to different persons as soon as their advertisements are 
completed and handed to the hostess. Have prizes that 
will create fun, stimulate an interest in the game and keep 



454 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

each person anxious to get his advertisement complete and 
see what he will get. The prizes should be tied up in 
packages and boxes and labeled. For instance: 

A calendar advertisement : " Bunch of Dates " — a few 
dates tied in a bunch with ribbon. 

A piano advertisement : " The Lost Chord " — a piece 
of string in a piece of paper rolled up like a sheet of music. 

A hosiery advertisement : " A Pair of Hose " — two 
small pieces of rubber garden hose in a box. 

A perfume advertisement : " A Scent " — a penny. 

A confectionery advertisement : " A- Box of Bonbons " 
— a small box of chocolate creams. As the guests will 
expect to get " sold " it will be a " sell " to get the real 
article. 

A cracker advertisement : " A Box of Crackers " — a 
cracker-box containing a candy firecracker and a soda 
cracker, or a nut-cracker. 

"Jane Smith's" Autobiography 

An autobiography of each guest may be written and a 
great deal of fun result. Provide booklets made of or- 
dinary note paper with colored mat-board covers. On 
each cover write " The Life and Works of Jane Smith " — 
or whatever the name may be. Supply for each group a 
number of pages of advertising material, and let each 
guest then proceed to cut out and paste in those illustra- 
tions that will supposedly best present a pictorial history 
of his or her life. The first page may be a picture of 
" Myself," or it may be a " first photograph ; " the next 
" How I Spent My Childhood," then " My Aim in Life," 
" My Greatest Enjoyment," " My Biggest Blunder," " My 
Best Friend," " How I Wish to Travel," " My Greatest 
Hobby," " How I Spend My Money," " My Finish." A 
vote is taken as to the most attractive volume. 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 455 

A " Puzzling " Game 

A " Puzzling " Game may be arranged by decapitating 
the most prominent figure in large advertisements, trans- 
ferring the heads. The guessers must then tell where 
each head belongs. 

Another most amusing way to use advertisement pic- 
tures is in " Commercial Mother Goose." Pin up the pic- 
ture and rime of one of her melodies, and beside it place 
any well-known advertisement of soap, beans, or whatnot. 
The player is then to write a rime in the same meter and 
containing the same number of lines, but is to make the 
rime advertise the article which is illustrated. 

COUNTY FAIR CHARADES 

" County Fair Charades " is great fun. In this game a 
part of the players who are visitors at the Fair guess what 
is being represented by other players, who are stationed in 
groups around the rooms. The performing groups are 
given instructions for their actions before the visitors ; for 
instance, at the " Toy Booth : " " You are toy balloons, 
sink down in your chairs, puff out cheeks, then rise 
slowly " ; at the " Confectionery Booth : " " You are mak- 
ing molasses taffy, stir and pull the taffy ; " at the " Prize 
Animal Booth : " " You are a prize cow, chew slowly and 
continually and roll your eyes." 

The " Association " Game 

The game " Association " is a good " mixing game." 
Make a list of names of things we associate together. Cut 
out advertisement pictures and paste one on a calling card, 
and alongside write a description of the article which 
would naturally be associated with the picture. The cor- 
responding card will have the description of the article 
pictured on the first card and the picture of the article de- 



456 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

scribed on the first one, as " No man's toilet is complete 
without it (collar) and a neck adornment" (tie). Per- 
forate the cards, putting blue ribbon in the ladies' and pink 
in the men's. These are then passed to the guests. 

The following list of associated articles will be helpful: 
Pen and ink, horse and buggy, brush and comb, hook and 
eye, knife and fork, bread and cheese, thread and needle, 
hammer and nails, tea and toast, scissors and thimble, 
ham and eggs, watch and chain, shoes and stockings, cup 
and saucer, house and lot, lock and key. 

An Initial Contest 

Another game, designed especially to keep guests mov- 
ing around the room and breaking up stiffness, is the 
" Initial Contest," which may be used successfully with 
fifty or more persons. The hostess presents to her guests 
" Art Catalogs," and tells them that their portraits have 
been painted by a celebrated artist and are on exhibition 
in her home. She invites them to examine the pictures 
and guess the right names from the titles attached, which 
are personal characteristics, hobbies or fads of each guest, 
beginning with the guest's initials. The catalog is a 
folder, with an appropriate design in color on the cover, 
containing numbers from one to fifty, corresponding with 
those on the pictures. A pencil is fastened by a cord to 
the folder. 

The pictures are cut from the fashion pages of maga- 
zines, pasted on cardboard panels and hung on the wall 
by ribbons. The initial letters are printed on the picture 
in red ink and the other letters in black. For example, 
one portrait represents a girl by the name of " Louise 
Raymond," who is fond of flowers, so the portrait is en- 
titled " Loves Roses," and is a picture of a young girl 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 457 

carrying a bunch of roses. An appropriate prize for the 
best guesser might be an inexpensive picture. 

This game is one of the kind always successful because 
there is a personal interest in it for every one. 

The Game of Hard Addresses 

This game is suitable for an evening party of young 
persons or old, and may be used for large social gather- 
ings. Any number of persons may play it. 

The materials required are as many envelopes, eight 
inches by ten or larger, as may be desired. If not easily 
obtained these envelopes may be made from large sheets 
of Manila paper. 

Number these envelopes, and upon each represent, by 
pictures or othervi^ise, the address of some imaginary per- 
son. The name must be reasonable and the residence a 
real place, preferably in the State given, although this 
point is not essential. For example, Miss Belle Scales, 
Washington, D. C, may be arranged by pasting a picture 
of a bell, a pair of scales, a picture of Washington, and 
D. C. 

All pictures necessary may be cut from advertisements. 
Small objects may be used, however, in designating such 
cities as Cork, Brussels, etc. These envelopes are hung 
in a long line or placed in various parts of the room, so 
that the players must move about in order to see them. 
Each player is provided with pencil and paper. Upon the 
paper he must place numbers corresponding to those on 
the large envelopes. The hostess then announces : 

" In the Post-Oflfice Department in Washington, Uncle 
Sam employs experts whose special business is to decipher 
addresses which are difficult to read. Tonight we desire 
to find out how many of the present company can qualify 
for such a position. In this room you will see twenty-five 



458 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

envelopes addressed each in a rather peculiar fashion. 
The person who correctly deciphers the largest number 
of addresses will be considered eligible for a position in 
Uncle Sam's post office." 

A time limit is then fixed and the game proceeds. The 
players move about the room examining the various en- 
velopes. The pictures and the guessing make a great 
deal of fun. When the time has expired the papers are 
signed and collected. They are again distributed, so that 
no player receives his own paper. Appropriate prizes are 
boxes of letter paper, stamp boxes, and other articles sug- 
gestive of the post office. A pair of spectacles might be 
given as a " booby prize." 

Guessing Conundrums from Objects 

The game of " Guessing Conundrums From Objects " 
has the advantage of being played by either a small or a 
large company. It was used one evening when enter- 
taining a graduating class and the faculty, numbering in 
all fifty guests, and much merriment w^s indulged in by 
the young people and their more staid seniors, as the 
object answering each conundrum was found and imme- 
diately pinned conspicuously on the lucky guesser. 

Narrow ribbons, in the class colors, were prettily tied 
on the objects, which were then pinned to curtains, pic- 
tures, etc., or were laid in prominent places throughout 
the room. Most of the articles required were found in 
the home or were purchased inexpensively, so that very 
little outlay was necessary. Those that could not be pur- 
chased were cut from magazine advertising pictures and 
pasted on heavy paper to make them more firm. 

When the company had gathered a card with a guest's 
name on one side and the conundrum on the other was 
passed to each, and the merry hunt for the answer was 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 459 

begun. From room to room moved the laughing throng, 
examining such articles as pears, pigs, a shoe, etc., but 
none would seem to answer the question on one card 
until all at once a shout went up, " I have it ! " and the 
lucky one came, bearing a sausage neatly wrapped in wax 
paper and bedecked with ribbons. He was met with much 
laughter and hurried queries as to what question was on 
his card. When he finally satisfied them by reading 
" What is the most deceiving age ? " the other guests de- 
cided he had guessed correctly, and hurried away to hunt 
for answers to their own conundrums. The hostess who 
tries this game may be assured that no stiffness can ap- 
pear during an evening so merrily begun. 

Following is a partial list of conundrums used, but 
others may be easily found in any good book of conun- 
drums : 

What is most like a hen stealing? A cock robin. 

What is a sure sign of a cold winter? A thermometer. 

What is higher and handsomer with the head off? A 
cushion. 

Where can one always find happiness? In the dic- 
tionary. 

What is the oldest piece of furniture? The multiplica- 
tion table. 

What was it a blind man took at breakfast that restored 
his sight? He took a cup and saw, sir (saucer). 

What is that which is full of holes and yet holds water ? 
A sponge. 

What did the goat do in the old woman's china shop? 
Buttercups. 

What confection did they have in the ark? Preserved 
pears (pairs). 

What grows the less tired the more it works? A car- 
riage wheel. 



46o THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

What is the difference between a glass of water and a 
glass of soda? Ten cents. 

What does a stone become when in the water? A 
whetstone (wet stone). 

What class of women are apt to give tone to society? 
Belles. 

What city is drawn more frequently than any other? 
Cork. 

A College Romance 

A " College Romance " will set all those guessing who 
either have been or are going to college. Can you find 
your Alma Mater here? 

John (i), in a neat (2) suit which matched his (3) 
hair, (4) near a charming young girl, Miss Hopkins, who 
was walking down the street. He had just quarreled 
with Etta Urey about the political principles of (5). Miss 
Hopkins was just starting for a day's outing in the (6) 
corner of the (7). 

As love (8) up in his heart he asks for her hand. 
" Why don't you marry (9) ? " she asked. " She is rich," 
he replied. "I would not (10) if she were as rich as 
(11). I would rather go to Brother (12) money." 

They fish, and as he (13) his hook he urges her to go 
with him to the parson's. " Oh," she replied, " you lost 
a fish! He came near the hook, but I saw him (14) 
downward away ! " 

Instead of fishing they decided to climb (15). She 
wished to walk on the path, but he liked the (16). So he 
tripped over one of the (17) of grass, rolling over (18). 

They visited an agricultural fair, at which an artistic 
farmer had arranged the ears in a large (19). Continuing 
their walk they reached a brook which he intended to (20), 
but her foot slipped and she fell into the stream. Soon 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 461 

after she was rescued she saw ari (21) the brook without 
difficulty. 

At the zoo the animals interested her, but she was terri- 
fied by the battle between the (22) bulldog and the (23) 
tiger. 

Being wearied with the trip, they rested under (24) of 
roses and there she consented to become (25). 

They were married at (26) Church and took a trip to 
the battlefield of (27). 

They proved a most congenial couple and their (28) 
was a happy one. 

Key: i — Smith, 2 — Brown. 3 — Auburn. 4 — 
Drew. 5 — Washington and Jefferson. 6 — North- 
western. 7 — State. 8 — Wells. 9 — Missouri. 10 — 
Marietta. 11 — Vanderbilt. 12 — Edinboro. 13 — Bates. 
14 — Dartmouth. 15 — Mt. Holyoke. 16 — Swarthmore. 
17 — Tufts. 18 — Andover. 19 — Cornell. 20 — Haver- 
ford, 21 — Oxford. 22 — Yale, 23 — Princeton. 24 — 
Ann Arbor. 25 — Johns Hopkins. 26 — Trinity. 27 — 
Gettysburg. 28 — Union. 

Another Good " Romance " Game 

Here is a game that Manual Training boys will like. 
The spaces are to be filled with the names of articles 
familiar to a carpenter — either tools or parts of a 
building : 

The Romance of the Lawyer and the Carpenter 

He was a lawyer in our town, a nephew of old Deacon 
Brown. He put his papers all on (i) and went to spend 
a Httle while with sweet and pretty Letty Moore, a girl 
he really did a (2). He hoped to find her (3) alone, for 



462 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

he was very loth to own her old admirer, (4) in Jim, 
might perhaps be ahead of him. He must (5) up and smile 
and smile, though hatred filled his heart the while. Now 
Jim was (6), with (7)d hair; beside his curly locks, who'd 
care for short and broad, (8) -shouldered Jim? Why, 
goodness me, just look at him! When standing on the 
(9) floor his (10) was six feet or more. He (11) the two 
beneath a tree, but truly hoped they would not see the 
(12) he felt that they might trace in every feature of his 
face. She looked her best; both thought so, too; her 
dress was white, her (13) was blue. "I'll (14) if she 
marries him, she'll get enough of homely Jim. I wish 
he'd (15) the evening train for foreign parts and there 
remain." He got (i6)ed up for the ordeal; they should 
not know what he did feel. He got there just in time, 
however, to hear her say " I'm thine forever." After the 
(17) of their vow he disappeared, but wondered how his 
feet could move in such a plot, for he seemed (i8)ed right 
to the spot. 

Key: i — File. 2 — Door (adore). 3 — Awl (all). 
4 — Beam. 5 — Brace. 6 — Plane (plain). 7 — Shingle. 
8 — Square. 9 — Level. 10 — Measure. 11 — Saw. 12 
— Pane (pain). 13 — Sash. 14 — Auger (augur). 15 — 
Board. 16 — Screw. 17 — Ceiling (sealing). 18 — Nail. 

Well-Known Indian Tribes 

Winding Streams. (Creeks.) 

Girl's name. (Sioux.) 

Part of a fruit, all of a tree and twice a vowel. 
(Cher ok ee.) 

Used in chess and double a vowel. (Pawn ec.) 

What a Scotchman might say to a tree cutter. Chip- 
pewa. (Chip awa'.) 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 463 

Persia's ruler and part of the leg. (Shawnee.) 

Vowel and an herb. (Osage.) 

Covers a hole and a vowel. (A pach e.) 

Known by its caws. (Crow.) 

Channel needs deepening. (Delaware.) 

To cut with a scythe and a bird of prey. (Mohawk.) 

A numeral and a girl's name. (One ida.) 

A preposition, to rend and myself in debt. (On tar i o.) 

You're wise to it. (Huron — you're on.) 

A Shakespearean Wedding Contest 

It was with great joy that we accepted the invitation to 

attend the wedding of (i) on the (2) — 

of August, knowing how beautiful the bride 

would look and what royal personages would be there. 

Naturally desiring that our costumes should not be out- 
shone by any others, we immediately set about making 

many purchases from (3) , and really set up 

such a hum that the men, prosaic as they are about such 
things, declared that we were making (4) . 

Undaunted, we continued our preparations, and one fine 

morning, after waking from (5) , we set out on 

our way. 

Of course, the wedding was as delightful as we expected 
it to be. The bride, radiant and beautiful, and the hand- 
some bridegroom, surrounded by the stunningly gowned 

matrons of honor (6) , and the ushers (7) — 

, a neighboring city, made a lovely picture never 

to be forgotten. 

Knowing the bride to be a dear, sweet and lovely girl, 
we naturally resented the minister advising the bride- 
groom, should he find the bride to be a woman of ungov- 
ernable temper, to set about at once to the task of (8) — 



464 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 
, and reminding the bride that whatsoever she 



meted oiit would be returned (9) . We allowed 

these remarks to pass silently, " considering the source," 
and turned our attention to the guests. 

We were not surprised to find among the number four 

men of royal birth (10) , (11) and 

(12) and his "dictatorship," (13) , 

and even our old Scotch friend, (14) -, was 

present, much to our delight. 

So after much enjoyment we set out on our return 
journey, only to be overtaken midway by a dreadful storm. 

Fearing the fury of (15) , we sought shelter at 

a cottage in a (16) far off in the country, 

and several hours later resumed our journey, reaching 
home without further mishap, all agreeing after that 
(17) • 

Answers 

1 — Romeo and Juliet. 

2 — Twelfth Night. 

3 — The Merchant of Venice. 
4— Much Ado About Nothing. 

5 — A Midsummer Night's Dream. 

6 — The Merry Wives of Windsor. 

7 — Two Gentlemen of Verona. 

8 — The Taming of the Shrew. 

9 — Measure for Measure. 

10 — King Lear. 

11 — ^King John. 

12 — The Two Noble Kinsmen. 

13 — Julius Cassar. 

14 — Macbeth. 

15 — The Tempest. 

16 — Hamlet. 

17 — All's Well That Ends Well. 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 465 

It Is I 

Begin by having one person number the company, giving 
the boys odd numbers and the girls even numbers. Make 
two lists of ridiculous questions, one for boys and one for 
girls, numbering each question for the boys with odd num- 
bers and girls' questions with even numbers. Make the 
same number of questions as you have guests. Then call 
out the questions, giving the number first. The one who 
has that number answers " It is I." A sample of the 
questions that may be asked are: 

" Who uses more powder than a girl? " 

" Who thinks he is the prettiest boy in town? " 

" Who loves a red-headed girl ? " 

And for the girls: 

" Who is waiting for Leap Year? " 

" Whose beauty is only skin deep ? " 

Letting the girls make out the boys' questions and vice 
versa never fails to bring laughter. 

The Feature Game 

The outline of a man's head and shoulder should be 
drawn on a sheet and then a number of noses, ears, eyes, 
mouths, bow neck-ties and hats drawn on paper and cut 
out and a pin put through each and numbered. Each 
guest to get one feature. The game is played similar to 
the Donkey game. 

Where Is It? 

" Where is it ? " is a good game for a party of young 
and old, the latter taking as much interest in the game as 
the young folks. 

First a leader is chosen, to whom is given a small paper 
ball. The rest of the party seat themselves in a semi- 
circle. The leader then asks a question. In this case the 



466 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

question asked was: "Where is the Flatiron Building?" 
The ball is then thrown at one of those seated, who must 
answer before the leader counts ten or fifteen; not being 
able to answer correctly he or she is counted " out." 

Question Number Two was : " Where is the Museum 
of Art ? " Again the ball was thrown at some one and 
ten or fifteen counted, the object of the game being to see 
who can answer the most questions. The leader must 
use buildings of local interest, then should any argument 
arise as to where a church or a hospital is located it can 
easily be adjusted. It will also help the leader in asking 
questions. 

Holiday Game 

On twelve cards have pasted symbolic pictures which 
represent " Days which we Celebrate " throughout the 
year. Have these numbered consecutively and pass in 
order to each guest, allowing half a minute in which to 
think what day the picture represents. He writes the 
name of the day on a paper which is numbered according 
to the manner in which the cards are passed. No one is 
allowed to speak during the process. The days may be 
represented as follows: 

New Year's Day: New Year and Father Time. 

St. Valentine's Day: A heart. 

Washington's Birthday: A bunch of cherries or hatchet. 

St. Patrick's Day : A four-leaf clover. 

April Fool's Day : Clown in dunce cap. 

Easter : Chick or rabbit. 

Decoration Day: A basket of flowers. 

Fourth of July: Firecracker or flag. 

Hallowe'en : A pumpkin. 

Thanksgiving: A Puritan. 

Christmas Eve: An empty stocking. 

Christmas Day : A filled stocking. 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 467 

Peanut Toss 

For this contest there may be an even number of players 
on each side. Those on one side are given paper bags 
that w^ill hold about three pounds each. The players on 
the other side are given shallovs^ pans. Allow one pint of 
peanuts for each pan holder. The pan holders and bag 
holders are drawn up in two lines facing each other, 
about ten feet apart, the pan holders on one side and the 
bag holders on the other. Someone plays a lively air on 
a mouth organ, and while the music lasts each pan holder 
tosses as many peanuts as possible, one at a time, into the 
bag held by the player directly opposite ; while each bag 
holder catches as many of the nuts in her bag as she can, 
for the two opposite one another are partners. The nuts 
for the two players must fall in the bag and may not be 
caught in the hand. At the height of the excitement the 
music stops, and, though a player's hand is raised to toss 
a nut, she must not let it go, for a nut thrown after the 
music has ceased is counted as lost. Quite suddenly the 
music begins again. When the music stops for the third 
time the game is ended. The peanuts in each bag are 
counted by an umpire, and the two players who have 
secured the greatest number are winners. 

A Guessing Game 

Fill a jar with peas and put over it a sign composed of 
the following rime : 

Pleasant P'eople Ponder, Please; 
Here's a Pot that's Piled with Peas. 
Patience Plenty, Place your guess; 
How many Peas does the Pot Possess? 

Of course, there will be a variety of numbers guessed 
but really " Pot " only contains one P. 



468 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

MONOSYLLABICS 

When the guests have reached the dining room let all 
conversation be restricted to words of one syllable. For 
any words used other than monosyllables, let a fine be 
imposed of so much for each syllable in excess. For in- 
stance, " certainly " would be taxed for two excess 
syllables ; " impossibility " for five. 

The host or hostess should act as judge or referee, 
marking against the name of each offender the word used 
and announcing the result when the guests retire from 
the room. 

It would also be advisable to tax for any slang words 
used and, to brighten interest, possibly require each one to 
tell a little story. 

A " Pi " Contest 

These conundrums should be typed (or written in a 
large, legible hand), numbered and hung about the room 
in order. Slips of paper correspondingly numbered should 
be given to each guest. 

The pi that, adventurous, roams the high seas, 
And captures small vessels with never a " please." 

(Pirate.) 

The pi that, with compass and wheel at command, 
Will carefully guide any craft to the land. (Pilot.) 

The pi that with bravery blazes his trail, 
That those who may follow never need fail. 

(Pioneer.) 

The pi that, indeed, describes many a horse 
Of more than one color, and spotted, of course. 

(Piebald.) 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 469 

The pi that is done by some workers with wood ; 
Designs must be carefully burnt to be good. 

(Pyrography.) 

A pi in the Bible, a gov'nor of fame, 

The most famous trial e'er heard was his shame. 

(Pilate.) 

The pi that belongs to a temple of old, 

'Tis found at the entrance ; at least, so we're told. 

(Pylon.) 

The pi that's a mineral fairly well known, 

Both sulphur and iron, yet neither alone. (Pyrites.) 

A display really splendid is made by this pi — 
The small boy's delight on the Fourth of July. 

(Pyrotechnics.) 

A pi that can crawl and that knows how to bite. 
But it lives far away, in which fact we delight. 

(Python.) 

A homemade pie might be given as a prize to the one 
guessing the greatest number. 

Gastronomic Conundrums 

How many hard-boiled eggs could the giant Goliath eat 
on an empty stomach? One; after which his stomach 
would not be empty. 

If a negro waiter should drop a platter of turkey, what 
would be the result to the world? The downfall of Tur- 
key, the overthrow of Greece, the destruction of China and 
the humiliation of Africa. 

What is the easiest breakfast to take in bed ? A couple 
of rolls and a turnover. 



470 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Why is bread like money? Because we knead (need) 
it. 

What pudding does a lawyer like best? " Suet (sue it). 

Prove that a beehive is a bad potato. A beehive is a 
beeholder, a beeholder is a spectator, and what is a specked 
'tater but a bad 'tater ? 

What would you have to eat on the Desert of Sahara? 
The sandwiches there (sand which is there). 

Why is an English plum pudding like the Atlantic 
Ocean? There are currants in each and they both rise 
and fall. 

When you're playing with your dog why are you like 
your teapot? Because you're teasin' it (tea's in it). 

When are a cook's hands like a rose garden? When 
they're in flour (flower). 

What is the best way to plant onions ? In tears. 

Why must you be careful of what you do and say in a 
garden? Because the potatoes have eyes and the corn 
ears. 

Why is Smith like an underdone cake? He is not 
Brown. 

Why are chickens' necks like doorbells? They are 
often wrung for company. 

Date Contest. — The blanks in the following rimes are 
to be filled in by the dates of the events : as, for example : 

DeSoto saw the river run 
In 

DeSoto saw the river run 

In fifteen hundred and forty-one. 

Columbus sailed the ocean blue (in 1492). 
While Boston Harbor had some tea (in 1773). 
In battle did our fathers mix (in 1776). 
North and South did peace revive (in 1865). 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 471 

Verrazani did the coast explore (in 1524). 
Gold was found at the Golden Gate (in 1848). 
Hudson found the "American Rhine" (in 1609). 
Europe became a battle scene (in 1914). 

Flag Conundrums. — Present each guest with a souvenir 
flag, at the same time distributing cards to which pencils 
are attached with red, white and blue ribbon for writing 
the answers which may be found by inspecting the flag : 

A patriotic flower? Flag. 

A brilliant assemblage? Constellation. 

Danger signal? Red. 

" Forget-me-nots of the angels ? " Stars. 

Artists' delight? Colors. 

A bit of country? Field. 

A range of mountains? White, 

A term used in the stock market? Corner. 

Necessary to laundering? Blue. 

Gymnastic apparatus? Horizontal bars. 

A Patriotic " Merry-Go-Round " 

Tables should be arranged as for any progressive affair, 
having at each one some contest peculiar to our own 
country. Booklets in which to write the answers to the 
various contests may be made of paper tied together with 
red, white and blue ribbon. One of these, with a pencil, 
should be provided for each guest. At the first table may 
be cards containing historic dates which are to be guessed, 
or a set of questions to which every good American should 
know the answers ; for instance : 

Questions 

1 — Where is the United States Naval Academy located ? 

2 — Who wrote " The Battle Hymn of the Republic " ? 



472 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

3 — What ship lajd the Atlantic cable ? 

4 — What city is the City of Homes? 

5 — What was New York formerly called ? 

6 — What was the name of the first steamboat ? 

7 — What was the decisive battle of the Civil War? 

8 — Who gave the United States the Statue of Liberty in 
New York Harbor? 
9 — What President had a son who became President? 

Answers 

1 — Annapolis 5 — New Amsterdam 

2 — Julia WardHowe 6 — Clermont 

3 — " Great Eastern " 7 — Gettysburg 

4 — ■ Philadelphia 8 — France 

9 — John Adams 

On the next table have several small dishes containing 
different kinds of grains of the United States. 

" American Flowers " may be used for the next contest, 
and for this purpose pictures may be cut from seed cata- 
logs and pasted on small squares of cardboard which have 
been numbered. 

For another table one might provide a number of 
samples of American-made material, such as silk, ging- 
ham, dimity, etc. Baste these smoothly upon separate 
cards, which should, of course, be numbered. 

Post-card views of well-known American buildings, 
from which the names have been cut, might be used for 
another table. About ten or twelve cards might be given, 
each being numbered. 

A " President Contest," requesting each player to write 
the names of the Presidents of the United States in order, 
would furnish amusement for another table. 

As a unique ending to an evening of this kind, oflfer a 
prize to the one who is able to recite the greater part of 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 473 

the Declaration of Independence. It will be surprising to 
see how few people can remember much beyond the 
" When, in the course of human events, it becomes neces- 
sary " — then they stop and wonder what it was that be- 
came necessary. 

Outdoor Games 

A Rose Race. — Two dozen paper roses are provided, 
also two tape measures. The roses are each fastened to a 
skewer, and must be planted three feet apart, twelve in 
each row, measuring the distance with the tapeline. The 
racers go in twos and the successful ones race together, a 
prize of a dozen roses rewarding the winner. To gather 
all the roses and return to the starting point in the quickest 
time is the object. 

Bean-Bag Relay. — Divide the company present into two 
lines standing opposite and facing each other. Give the 
leader of each line a bean bag, then instruct the lines to 
pass the bag as fast as possible behind them, each one being 
obliged to take it in her hands and pass to the next one. 

When the person at the end receives the bag she must 
run behind her line to the head, remaining there after the 
bag has started down again. This is continued until each 
one has run and the leader is again at the head of her 
line, when she holds the bag high over her head, indicating 
that her side has won. This game may be played with as 
many or as few as one chooses, but ten on a side will be a 
good number. 

The "Barrel and Bell Game" is a good fun-maker. 
Place a barrel bottom up in the center of a large open 
space. On it place a desk bell of the kind used by teach- 
ers. Make a mark on the ground about four feet from the 
barrel. Blindfold one of the players and stand him on 



474 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

the mark, facing the barrel. Give him a five foot stick, a 
little vi^ider at one end than at the other — a canoe paddle 
will answer the purpose admirably. Then turn him around 
till he has made three complete turns. The player must 
try to keep in mind the location of the barrel while he is 
being turned. When he stops he may try three times to 
ring the bell with the stick. Let each player have three 
turns. The largest number of rings by one person will 
win the game. 

Mother Na-^ure's Party 

This has been found to be a most successful means of 
entertaining a group of boys and girls in their self- 
conscious early 'teens. If there is a big attic in your 
house, use it instead of the living room; in either case 
decorate with branches, leaves, flowers, or anything else 
representing outdoors. Have the rooms crisscrossed with 
a huge yellow-and-white spider web. The web may not 
be a novelty, but it is a most excellent and ever-enter- 
taining method of " breaking the ice." 

Give each guest one end of the web — the boys a yellow 
string, the girls a white one — then tell them that if they 
can untangle their portions without breaking them, they 
will find their fortunes at the ends. The fortunes will be 
written on slips of paper and placed in empty peanut shells 
tied to the hidden ends of the web. Here are some for- 
tune rimes: 

For the Boys: 

You'll go to college and get a degree. 
And a wonderful orator you may be. 

You will be a sailor lad, a-sailing on the sea, 

And if you work your very best, a captain you may be. 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 475 

A very famous doctor you are going to be, 
With a great, big practice and a great, big fee. 

Some of these days, when you have won renown, 
You'll be elected Mayor of your own home town. 

To win the famous Vanderbilt Cup 
Will be your lot when you grow up, 

A great deal of money are you really going to get ; 
But you'll work very hard for it — twenty years yet. 

Study hard, work while you wait. 

And you'll be the Governor of your state. 

You're going to be a farmer and raise corn and wheat, 
And when you're very old you will live on Easy Street. 

You're going to be a railroad man; 
And the Superintendent, if you can. 

You're to go away to college and there to study law. 
And to be the greatest lawyer that this town ever saw. 

A great deal of good in this world will you do, 
For a minister's life is the future for you. 



For the Girls : 

You are going far away to a university; 

And, when you have finished, a teacher you will be. 

If you study and work very hard, without fail. 
You can write for us many a story and tale. 

You're going to keep house in a bungalow. 
With a cat — and a husband, too, you know. 



476 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

You're going to study art for years, in some academy, 
And if you study hard enough quite famous you will be. 

In far-ofif China you'll spend your life, 
As a much-loved missionary's wife. 

You'll be a globe-trotter and travel quite a heap, 
Till you get a little house of your very own to keep. 

As a business woman you'll win renown, 
With a great, big office in a great, big town. 

The profession of a nurse will be the happiest you can find, 
Till some day when you meet a man who makes you change 
your mind. 

When you're twenty you'll make you a wedding gown, 
And have a nice home in a neighboring town. 

You're going to live alone, just as happy as can be. 
With your cat and your parrot and your little cup of tea. 

You never will be famous, as others may have planned. 
But you're going to have the prettiest home in the land. 

When the fortunes have all been found and read you 
can announce a " Mother Nature Track Meet : " 

1. The Grasshopper Race. 

(Who can make quickest time hopping across the room 
on one foot?) 

2. Bumblebee Contest. 

(Who can say Bz-z-z-z-z-z longest without drawing a 
breath?) 

3. PiG-RooTiNG Contest. 

(Who first can push a tennis ball across the room with 
his forehead?) 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 477 

4. Weeding the Flower Beds. 

(Who can pick the most black beans from a bowlful of 
red, white and black ones, in a given time?) 

5. The Cross-Cockatoo Contest. 

(Who can keep longest from smiling?) 

6. Ant-Hill Building Contest. 

(Who can be the speediest in putting small shot into a 
bottle without spilling any?) 

7. The Elephant Pull-Away. 

(Who can first pull the other across a line?) 

8. Catching Fireflies. 

(Who can blow out the most candles at one breath?) 

9. The Heron Contest. 

(Who can stand on one foot on a small block and keep his 
balance the longest?) 

ID. The Nibbling-Mouse Contest. 

(Who, by tasting, can guess most correctly the follow- 
ing ingredients: Salt, sugar, cornstarch, borax, flour, 
soda?) 

When supper is announced present to each guest a card 
on which the following menu is printed : 

Jack-o'-Lanterns 

Daisies and Marguerites 

Honeycombs and Bumblebees 

Christmas Trees and Snowballs 

Buttercups 

Golden Dew 

Jack-o'-Lanterns. — Cut the tops from thick-skinned 
oranges; remove the contents and as little of the pulp as 
possible. Cut a mouth, a nose and eyes, as in the pump- 
kin Jack-o'-Lantern, Put a piece of paraffin paper on the 



478 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

inside where the orange has been cut through. Fill with 
a fruit mixture such as sliced oranges, bananas, pineapple, 
etc. 

Daisies. — Take hard-boiled eggs and cut the whites into 
strips to represent the petals of daisies. Arrange these on 
lettuce leaves in the form of flowers. Mix mayonnaise 
with the yolks, and place a little mound of the yellow in 
the center of each flower. 

Marguerites. — Beat into the white of one egg as much 
sugar as it will absorb; add nut meats and raisins, and 
brown in the oven. 

Honeycombs and Bumblebees. — Serve small baking- 
powder biscuits which have been split and already spread 
with butter and a bit of honey. Serve three of these on 
each plate. 

Christmas Trees. — Fill small brown ramekins with ice 
cream. Have ready some sprigs of evergreen the stems 
of which have been dipped in melted paraffin. Grate 
chocolate over the ice cream to represent earth. Stick 
the little evergreen branch in the ice cream to represent 
a tree growing in a pot. Decorate with small wrapped 
candies. 

Snowballs. — Bake a large white loaf cake. When cold 
cut it into cubes. Frost the cakes on all sides, then 
sprinkle finely shredded coconut over them. 

Buttercups. — The small colored candies by that name. 

Golden Dew. — A fruit drink, the foundation of which 
is lemonade. 

A Laughable Sociable or Track Meet 

All plans secret. 

Chief novelty: The ladies will have a rest and the 
gentlemen will do the entertaining. 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 479 

Each gentleman signs his name on a card and receives 
a tag reading, " Play the Game." 

Ten-foot arena marked off by chairs and cords. 

Chairman of committee announces : " Gentlemen, we 
have met tonight to entertain the ladies. The cards that 
you have signed have all been put into this hat, and the 
stunts the committee have prepared will be carried out by 
those whose names are drawn." 

(The gentlemen selected are in the arena before they 
know what they are to do. From four to twelve names 
are called, according to the event and the number of 
gentlemen present.) 

First event — Blindfolded feeding contest. 

Second event — Eating and whistling contest. 

Third event — Four-corner obstacle race : 

First Corner — Drinking glassful of salt water. 
Second Corner — Handless marshmallow eat. 
Third Corner — Thread Needles. 
Fourth Corner — Handless gingerbread eat. 

Fourth event — Hammer throw. 

Fifth event — Standing broad grin. 

Sixth event — Prize avoirdupois contest. 

Seventh event — Hurdle race with sixteen chairs. 

Eighth event — Refreshments a la rapid transit : Every 
man with hands on shoulders of man ahead marches to the 
kitchen to the tune of " Yankle Doodle," and returns with 
two glasses of fruit punch and a plate of cookies. 

For the Blindfolded Feeding Contest, as their names are 
called eight gentlemen step into the arena. It is not until 
they are seated in pairs, each two men facing each other, 
and everyone decorated with a huge apron bib and blind- 
folded, that a cup containing cracker crumbs and a spoon 
is put into the hands of each. At the signal each man is 



48o THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

to begin feeding his partner, and the one who spills the 
least amount is to be given a prize. The ladies in the 
audience, in every event, are to be the judges. 

All the men -will look ridiculous in their mammoth bibs, 
but w^hen one persists in feeding his partner on top of his 
head and another feeds his opponent down his collar the 
audience will see something else at which to laugh. 

The Eating and Whistling Event is a relay race. Again 
eight men are assembled inside the ropes and these are 
grouped for two opposing lines. Each is given a large 
egg biscuit, and at a signal the two men at one end of the 
lines begin to eat. As soon as a man can whistle after 
eating his cracker the one next to him in his line begins 
on his biscuit. Each of the members on the side that 
finishes its crackers and whistles first is given a box of 
the biscuits. 

In the Four-Corner Obstacle Race each runner must, at 
the first corner, drink a full glass of salt water; at the 
second corner he must eat, without touching it, a marsh- 
mallow suspended on a string a yard long — a knot at the 
other end of the string being placed in the runner's mouth ; 
at the third corner he must thread three needles of three 
different sizes each with a different kind of thread. At 
the fourth corner he must eat a piece of gingerbread from 
a plate on a table with his hands behind his back. 

For the Hammer Throw six gentlemen may be selected. 
Each is given an inflated paper bag on the end of a string 
and instructed to throw it at his opponent, a yard away. 
As each contestant succeeds in hitting his opponent the 
latter falls out. 

For the Standing Broad Grin the participants are lined 
up, while their mouths are measured to see who has the 
broadest smile. In this many persons may be grouped 
who would not enter easily into the other contests. 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 481 

For the Prize Avoirdupois Contest the names of the 
two heaviest men should be reserved. Place a rug about 
two yards long in the center of the arena, and the con- 
testants are required to stand in the center of this, while 
the feet are tied and the hands are bound to the sides. 
Each then tries to get his antagonist off the rug. 

For the Hurdle Race sixteen chairs are placed back to 
back around the course. Each contestant runs to a chair, 
steps on it over the back to the adjoining chair, then on 
to the floor and so on around the course until he has com- 
pleted the sixteen chairs. The one who finishes in the 
fewest seconds is, of course, the winner. 

Games for an Indoor Track Meet 

These contests were arranged for a party of school- 
mates, and as they arrived were asked to enter their names 
for the various stunts : The Tennis Match, the Boxing 
Match, the Marathon, the Horse Race, the Hurdle Race 
and the Chariot Race. 

Those who entered the Tennis Match had placed before 
them twelve matches arranged in this manner : 

□ □ □ 

The one in charge of the contest then announced : 

These matches twelve are all unlit, 
And so there's naught to be afraid of; 
Move three around a little bit. 
And find what matches should be made of. 

In due time one who made a specialty of " Love " sets 
in this favored pastime arranged the matches thus : 



□ VE 



482 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

The boxing match was the familiar but baffling stunt of 
drawing a box while looking in a mirror. The mirror was 
held in front of a person in such a position that he could 
see the reflection of the paper, but not the paper itself. A 
book was so arranged that the one drawing could not see 
his hand or pencil as he guided them over the paper and 
must depend entirely on their reflected images. 

The Marathon was entered in partnership by three girls 
and three boys. It was in three heats and a final. The 
boys were lined up at one end of the room and the girls 
at the other — the partners being directly opposite, of 
course. All six were handed small candles and the three 
boys were handed matches as well. At the signal each 
boy struck his match and lighted his candle, started for his 
partner, walking around the chair in the middle on his 
way. If his candle went out any time he had to return to 
the starting point and light it over. When he reached his 
partner at the other side he had to light her candle and 
then blow out his own. 

The girl then followed the same course to the other end 
and returned (rounding the chair each time, of course) 
and lighted her partner's candle. He then went back to 
his original position and the race was at an end. No one 
was allowed to shield the candle flame with his hand, the 
free hand being placed behind the back. 

The Horse Race was in two rounds. A string was 
spread out in the middle of the room in the figure 8 and 
bottles were arranged around it. The boys, blindfolded, 
were the horses and the girls were the drivers. Ropes 
were fastened around the arms and shoulders of the 
horses, and the girls took hold of the ends and guided 
their steeds as skilfully as they could around the race 
track of string. The couple who got around twice in the 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 483 

shortest time and knocked over the smallest number of 
bottles won. 

The Hurdle Race was in one heat. The course was 
laid down the room with piles of books heaped up in 
various heights and placed at intervals. The contestants 
were allowed to examine their hurdles carefully and then 
were blindfolded and led up to the first hurdle. As soon 
as their foot touched the book they had to jump without 
attempting in anyway to gauge the height. Of course an 
outsider had to steer them from one hurdle to the other. 
Meanwhile all the books but the bottom one had been 
removed, so you can imagine how we were all treated to 
the spectacle of a high high-jump ! Then the blindfolds 
were removed and the victims tried to imagine how 
ludicrous they looked in their lofty leaps. 

Then came the Chariot Race. The boys who took part 
in this were requested to sit on a keg that had been turned 
on its side. They were asked to place the heel of one 
foot on the toe of the other and, while thus maintaining 
perfect poise, they were given a needle to thread. The 
one who succeeded in the shortest time was declared 
winner. 

The prizes were awarded with great hilarity. The 
winner of the Tennis Match was given something to 
" love " — a little black felt doggie ! The winner of the 
Boxing Match carried off, of course, a box of matches. 
The boy and girl who won the marathon were given two 
medals " straight from Greece " — two valueless coins 
with a hole punched through and tied around the neck 
with gay ribbon. The boy and girl who won the Horse 
Race were, naturally, presented with Blue Ribbons. The 
winner of the Hurdle Race got a jumping-jack and the 
winner of the Chariot Race got a pack of needles. 



484 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

A Twister and Twirler Party 

The Twisters and Twirlers are invited to untwist and 

untwirl the twine, Tuesday evening, 8.30, at Street. 

Be on time. 

The gate may be tied and twisted about with rope or 
twine, causing some work before entering. 

The guests are handed chairs bound together in twos by 
twine which they must untwist in order to have seats. 

If the party is small enough to use the cobweb idea a 
piece of cardboard cut in spool shape, with the end of a 
colored cord attached, may be given to each guest. Two 
spools may be of the same color and the name of the guest 
should be on the spool. While untwisting the cord, which 
crosses and is knotted in many places about the rooms, one 
finds that he is being led to a seat at table next to the 
partner who holds the same color card and cord. If the 
party is too large to be seated this game may be used after 
the refreshments for the finding of amusing and noise- 
making favors ; or it may be used before refreshments, 
two working together as partners, using this couplet on 
the cardboard spools : 

To the twain that first twirls and untwists the twine, 
A prize 'twixt the twisters will be given ere they dine. 
(Prize, one big doughnut.) 

First Game. — Twisted words — passed on slips of paper 
— ten words to each couple. Call time. Give prize 
(twisted candy). 

Second Game. — Twisted sentences. Call time. Give 
prize. 

Third Game. — Contest. Choose sides. Take turns re- 
peating " tongue twisters," using sentences hard to arti- 
culate, such as: 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 485 

She sells sea shells, 

The sea ceaseth and it sufficeth us. 

Six thick thistles stick. 

Six slippery snails slid slowly seaward. 

Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers. 

Fourth Game. — Have a recitation or song of a twisted 
nature. 

Fifth Game. — Have a contortionist perform a few 
feats. 

Sixth Game. — The Twisted Menu: It may be put up 
in paper sacks tied with twine and twirled around. 

Sandwiches wrapped in paper with twisted ends. 

Cheese in twisted paper. 

Pickles in twisted paper. 

Olives in twisted paper. 

Deviled eggs in twisted paper. 

Bonbons in twisted paper. 

The supper may be eaten in the dining room, with the 
chairs set in couples, Grecian border fashion :;LnnjuinnnnJ 
each alternate two facing north, with lap-boards and 
paper napkins. 

Close with a twisted-face contest, or the old game of 
twirling the apple peelings over the head. 



Transposed Letter Rimes 

A star shines down upon the wave 
Where gallant tars the dangers brave, 
What arts they show ! Yet o'er the ship 
The large black rats at will may skip. 

Ere Curfew bells in cadence peal 
The maiden pale doth softly steal; 



486 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

With leap and bound she hastens here, 
To make her plea for one so dear. 

Behold the ox team jog along, 

Each mate so sturdy and so strong, 

So powerful, yet withal so tame; 

To kill them for their meat were shame. 

The peddler drives his weary span 
With snap of whip as best he can. 
With load of pans they onward jog 
While in the wagon naps a dog. 

She ne'er will stop, she pauses not. 
Till in her kitchen there's no spot. 
The pots are scoured till they are bright; 
E'en tops of doors are spotless quite. 



An Automobile Party 

Friends fond of motoring could be entertained at a 
" Joy-Ride " dinner. Invitations ornamented with water- 
color sketches should state that the party would assemble 
in your dining room at six o'clock on a stated evening. 
The guests having arrived, dinner should be announced 
by the blowing of an automobile horn. Each chair at the 
table should represent an automobile, bearing a license 
number and having a toy horn tied to its back with long 
ribbons in harmony with the color scheme. Places could 
be indicated by signboards cut from heavy paper folded to 
stand in an upright position. Plays on names would add 
to the amusement and notices to motorists might be added. 
Signs for Mr. Smith, Miss Brown or Miss Jones could 
read : " Smithport — Go Slow ; " " Brownville — Stop 
Here ; " " Jonestown — Blow Horn." 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 487 

A toy automobile should stand in the center of the 
table, with two dolls, representing the hero and heroine 
of the motor story, dressed in automobile togs. A little 
road made of gravel, and tiny clumps of ferns and wild 
flowers might be arranged on each side, with miniature 
trees of cedar and dogwood braced here and there with 
moss and sod. At the end of the road might be a country 
church made of cardboard. An automobile horn holding 
wild roses could be suspended from the chandeher. 

Another table decoration might be a roadway of tan- 
colored crepe paper edged with moss and tiny ferns. On 
this place a large automobile composed of two pineapples, 
partly hollowed out and fastened together with skewers, 
the wheels of Bermuda onions with skewer axles, and 
radishes fastened in place with toothpicks to represent the 
lamps. Seated within is the driver, whose body is a carrot 
and whose head is a large radish with features marked 
with melted chocolate. A flattened fig makes a creditable 
chauffeur's cap. Arms of carrot slivers grasp the steering 
wheel, a slice of carrot impaled on a skewer. 

One of the mechanical cars which may be purchased in 
any first-class toy shop might be used for a centerpiece and 
could later be used for a prize. 

Miniature automobiles, each marked with a "Jitney " 
sign and fastened to a small cake of sweet chocolate, 
would be most appropriate favors for a party of this kind. 

The menu or " Ride" should read as follows: i. Start- 
ers; 2, Lubricators; 3, Accelerators; 4, Drivers; 5, Regu- 
lators ; 6, Cylinder Coolers ; 7, Finishers. 

Dishes served at these courses are: (i) Oysters or 
Clams; (2) Soup; (3) Small Chicken Croquettes with 
French Peas; (4) Roast and Vegetables; (5) Salad, 
Cheese and Crackers; (6) Ice Cream and Cake; (7) 
Coffee and Bonbons. Bonbon dishes could contain candy 



488 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

hearts labeled " Sparkers." Cheese with holes could do 
duty as "Punctures";" crackers as "Brakes;" cakes as 
" Wheels," etc. 

If this party is given outdoors, or if only simple party 
refreshments are desired, these may be served, picnic 
fashion, from a lunch hamper. 

Arrange about the room a lot of automobile advertise- 
ments, with the names removed and numbers on them in- 
stead. Give each player paper and pencil and allow them 
all a certain time in which to see how many makes of cars 
they recognize. 

Another contest might be arranged as follows: Dis- 
tribute lists of about fifteen well-known automobiles and 
see how many people know the standard price of each. 

The old-time picture puzzles are always amusing. Each 
guest may be supplied with an envelope which contains an 
automobile advertisement cut into small pieces. The one 
first succeeding in placing the advertisement together cor- 
rectly should be awarded a prize. 

A more lively game could be arranged like the old game 
of " Change Stations." In this game first select a chauf- 
feur. The other players sit around in a circle and each is 
given the name of an automobile. The chauffeur is blind- 
folded and the game begins. He tells two cars, say 
Pierce-Arrow and Chalmers, to change places. While 
they do so he tries to catch them. Should he succeed, the 
one caught becomes the chauffeur, surrendering his name 
to the catcher ; then, two more cars are called out. 

Partners for games or refreshments may be found as 
follows: Remove the names from half as many auto- 
mobile pictures as there are guests in attendance. Dis- 
tribute pictures to the ladies and names to the men and 
allow a certain length of time for each name to find its 
picture. 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 489 

Another appropriate contest is " The Motor Love 
Story." The words in italics are to be left out and the 
guests should be told to fill in the blank spaces with the 
names of different articles pertaining to an automobile. 
The lady who has the most correct story may be given 
an automobile veil; the gentleman, a pair of goggles. 

He thought her a maid most wondrous fair. 
She wore a pink hood on her bright yellow hair, 
A muMer around her fair throat she did twine. 
That she was a beauty he could but opine. 
And each little shoe was so dainty and trim, 
Like dear Cinderella she just seemed to him. 
To gaze on her face was to see and admire; 
He thought of her beauty he never could tire. 
But if he could win her ? Oh, that was the rub ! 
She came from the erudite city, the Huh; 
While he in New York saw the first light of day, 
And lived near the Battery, down by the bay. 
His deep love to exhaust, he tried all in vain. 
It would clutch at his heart till it gave him a pain. 
Quoth he: "I can tell you it is not a joke! " 
And then of his ardent affection he spoke; 
" Oh, have you for me of hope just a dim spark t 
Ah ! then I'd be happy, I can but remark. 
But if you refuse me, ah, then it is clear 
My heart it would weigh quite a tonneau, my dear. 
Indeed, I am pining, sweetheart, for your sake. 
And if you refuse me, my heart it must brake," 
The maid to his pleadings did gracefully yield. 
Said she : " You may be my protector and shield. 
At some future day I will be your dear wife; 
Together we gladly will motor through life." 

U-Auto-Know 

I— -An inhabitant of the greatest automobile city. 
2 — Part of a book. 



490 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

3 — The author of Poor Richard's Almanac. 

4 — A high ecclesiastical official. 

5 — A wanderer. 

6 — The crossing of a stream. 
7 — ^A Spanish girl's name. 

8 — A set of novels by a Scottish writer. 

9 — A river in New York State. 

10 — To penetrate and a weapon. 

11 — A variety of coffee. 

12 — Unequalled. 

13 — A city near San Francisco. 

14 — A command. 

15 — Sharp blows. 

16 — An occupation. 

17 — A fuel. 

18 — A color. 

19 — The most ancient car, 

20 — A city of Michigan. 

21 — Going higher (as pronounced by a cockney). 

22 — To avoid. 

23 — A boy's name and the reverse of ill. 

24 — ■ An early inhabitant of Great Britain. 
25 — 'A heavenly body. 

26 — • A famous pitcher 

27 — Across the country. 



Answers 



1 — Detroiter 

2 — Paige 

3 — Franklin 

4 — Pope 

5 — Rambler 

6 — Ford 

7 — Mercedes 

8 — Waverly 
9 — Hudson 



ID — Pierce Arrow 19 — Olds 



II — Reo 

12 — Peerless 

13 — Oakland 

14 — Fiat 

15 — Knox 

16 — Baker 

17 — Cole 
18 — White 



20 — Cadillac 

21 — Hup (mobile) 

22 — Dodge 

23 — Maxwell 
24 — • Saxon 
25 — Moon 

26 — Mathewson 
27 — Overland 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 491 

An Invitation Novelty 

The idea of issuing an " At Home " invitation without 
the name of the host and hostess being mentioned or the 
address given is novel. I have seen this used by a newly 
wedded couple. If you have a camera and can get blue- 
print portraits you will be sure of sending out an invita- 
tion that your friends will feel is a very personal one 
which they will be sure to keep for the sake of the 
photographs. Several of those who received invitations 
such as I speak of, sent pictures of themselves in the ac- 
ceptances, and a number of friends who lived in the same 
house sent a group snapshot. 

A Cubist Party 

For the small amount of time, trouble and money ex- 
pended I do not know of any kind of party which could 
yield more real pleasure than did a cubist social. After 
seeing a wonderful man and a battleship constructed of 
nails, screws, tin pans and other things from a hardware 
stock, the one who planned the evening's fun conceived 
the idea of something similar on a more diminutive scale 
to amuse the guests. 

To this end she ransacked the house for little traps. 
Clothespins, hairpins, odd-shaped sticks, buttons, beads, 
parts of old fans, corks, bottle crowns and tiny bottles, 
small boxes, crepe paper, bits of doll furniture, toothpicks, 
raisins, peanuts, cloves, nails, screws, all kinds of doll 
tinware, old postage stamps, scraps of cloth and tinfoil 
were among the things collected. Pencils, ink, paints, 
brushes, mucilage, thread and needles were also provided, 
as well as plenty of large pieces of pasteboard. 

For the night of the social everything was in black-and- 



492 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

white cubist effect. Tables were covered with white-paper 
covers, with black squares decorating the corners or 
pasted on as borders. The lights had white-paper shades 
decorated with black squares, and jardinieres and flower 
pots were concealed in the same way. The white-paper 
doilies were also trimmed with black squares. Even the 
food was cubical, brown and white bread being made into 
checkered sandwiches, the cake cut in cubes and covered 
with white icing or very dark chocolate, and the ice cream 
in bricks of the same colors. 

The guests drew from a basket little slips on which 
were written the titles they were to illustrate with pictures 
constructed on the pasteboard sheets, using the little traps 
which lay about in profusion on the many small tables in 
the living rooms. 

The titles were : " Woman Descending a Staircase," 
" Man Hunting," " Children at Play," " Fifth Avenue," 
" Her Favorite Hound," " In the Park," and others of 
like character. 

Each one was supposed to keep his title to himself, 
and to construct with any means at hand (except regular 
drawing) something to suggest the picture. Afterward 
the pictures were numbered and all guessed what they 
were supposed to represent. Two prizes were given — a 
book on art to the one who had constructed the cleverest 
picture, and a small impressionistic sketch to the one who 
had guessed the greatest number correctly. 

Later the pictures were auctioned for beans. The auc- 
tioneer's remarks were clever and the competition was 
keen; and at last each guest went happily home with a 
work of art. 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 493 

An " Out-of-Date " Social 

The idea in this social is to have everything unseason- 
able and untimely rather than necessarily old-fashioned. 
If given in the autumn the post-card invitation may bear 
Valentine emblems or a New Year's greeting, etc. 

In " out-of-date " costumes 
Come meet us in our rooms ; 

Or in frocks of white, 

On Friday night, 
Come sing old-fashioned tunes. 
Assemble at the hour of eight, 
Not too early, not too late — 

A good time for all, 

Both great and small, 
And refreshments made " out of date." 

These invitations are written on post cards that are out 
of date. 

" Miss Winter," in costume, sings : " The Last Rose of 
Summer." 

" Mr. Summer," in costume, recites : " 'Twas the Night 
Before Christmas." 

Out-of-date goodies : Date-bread sandwiches, date 
cookies, stuffed dates. 

The game "Guessing Out-of-Dates" is played by dis- 
tributing cards half of which have the date of some his- 
toric event, while the remainder of the cards have the 
name of the event. The guests are to mingle and match 
events and dates. The list may be made up from any 
United States History and may be the discovery of 
America — 1492, the Centennial of the signing of the 
Declaration of Independence — 1876, and so on. 

The " Out-of-Date Telegram " game is played by writing 
telegrams of nine words, each word commencing with the 



494 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

letters in order as given in the three words " out of date ; " 
for instance. 

Obadiah t/nderstood That OHve Frosted 
£>ates And Thomas £at 'em. 
Out f/nder The Orchard Fence 
Z>aisies ^nd TuHps Fxist. 

Some Novel Teas 

A very enjoyable series of "tea" parties were carried 
on recently. They originated from a social called " A 
Ten-Cent Tea," held for the benefit of a lodge. Following 
the Ten-Cent Tea a club gave a " Nickel Novel Tea," 
combining the money-making idea with some new and 
interesting games. Following this were a number of novel 
teas held for pleasure only. At these affairs tea and other 
simple refreshments were served. The invitations were 
usually verbal, but the following verse written on a card 
bearing the initial " T " makes a suggestive and simple 
invitation : 

You are cordially invited 

To a novel tea, 
Where many a chance you'll find 

For wit and jollity. 
So come at seven-thirty, 

On Tuesday evening next. 
And be prepared to test your wits — 

" T " will be the test. 

Following are several games appropriate for the occa- 
sion: 

A " T " Quiz — A paper-and-pencil contest in which 
questions are to be answered with words ending in ty, as : 
" Something new — a novelty." Following are a few 
questions and answers. Any clever person can think of 
many more : 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 495 

1. What T makes us ill at ease ? Formality 

2. What T forms true friendship ? Sincerity 

3. What T is gained through the press?. . , Publicity 

4. What T becomes a maiden ? Modesty 

5. What T is the best policy? Honesty 

6. What T can be measured? Capacity 

7. What T describes a want ? Necessity 

8. What T is both political and social?. . . ., Party 

9. What T is desirable in a menu? Variety 

10. What T is easily won by wealth ? Popularity 

These questions written on sheets of paper decorated 
with a water-color sketch of a tea rose, or a pen-and-ink 
drawing of a cup and saucer, would serve as souvenirs 
after the contest. 

Personal T's. — Another guessing contest might be a 
list of personal T's, as : 

The minister's T Piety 

The maiden's T Modesty 

The socialist's T Equality 

The workman's T , Ability 

The busy-man's T Brevity 

The silly-girl's T Vanity 

The novelist's T Celebrity 

The acrobat's T Agility 

The thrifty-man's T Prosperity 

The dressmaker's T Dimity ' 

The scientist's T Electricity 

The belle's T Society 

Tea-Party Telegrams. — Distribute paper and pencils 
and ask each guest to write a telegram having the words 
begin with the letters in the words " tea party," used in 
correct order, as : " The early afternoon party assists re- 



496 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

newing the youth." A prize might be given for the best. 

The Alliterative Tea. — Distribute paper and pencils, 
and after an allotted time of five or ten minutes award a 
prize for the longest sentence or group of sentences every 
word of which begins with T, as: "Tilly Thomas tried 
three times to talk," etc. 

A " T" Story. — A short story, or better still, an address 
of welcome in which each guest is mentioned, speaking of 
some attribute, should be prepared before the guests ar- 
rive. Leave blank spaces in place of the attributes. Pass 
slips of paper to the guests, asking them to write on a slip 
some word ending in " ty." Collect the slips. Read the 
story, filling in the blanks with words from the slips chosen 
at random. The results will be very amusing. For in- 
stance, it might be said : " We are glad to have M 

J with us because of her personality, which is 

strangely lacking in veracity." 

Teakettle. — One person is sent from the room and some 
words are chosen that are pronounced exactly alike, as 
soul and sole, or beat (to whip), beat (to outdo), beet; 
present (meaning here, a gift) and present. Take soul 
and sole, for example. The person is then recalled and 
sentences are given in which the word teakettle is used 
in place of the chosen words, as : " The teakettle is 
precious." " My teakettle is thin." " Did you ever mend 
a teakettle ? " 



A District School Party 

The invitations for the District School Party may be 
written in the manner of a school prospectus and may be 
worded as follows : 

" You are invited to attend the opening session of the 
modern District School. This institution guarantees to 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 497 

give a complete education in one hour, the course ranging 
from kindergarten to graduation." 

If possible use several rooms for this party, decorating 
them appropriately for kindergarten, primary, grammar 
grade, et cetera. If one room is used, pictures, maps and 
pennants may form the decorations. 

Announce after all the guests arrive that they must 
take the kindergarten course, and for this purpose pro- 
vide any kindergarten " occupations " such as modeling 
clay, heads, paper-cutting, et cetera, awarding a prize to 
the one whose work is the best. Having completed the 
kindergarten course, the guests are enrolled in the ABC 
class, and are given the following Alphabet contest : 

Alphabet 

What letter is — 

I. A vegetable ? (P) 

IL An insect? , (B) 

III. A clew? (Q) 

IV. A sheep ? (U) 

V. Part of a house ? (L) 

VI. A large body of water? (C) 

VIL A bird? (J) 

VIII. A direction to oxen ? (G) 

IX. A beverage ? (T) 

X. A verb of debt? (O) 

While the first four correct these papers the next four 
take charge. The prize for this may be an address book 
(indexed). 

The proficient class then takes up Geography and 
Arithmetic, using these contests : 



498 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 
Geography 

What State — 

I. Is a father? (Pa.) 

II. Was used in the flood ? (Ark.) 

III. Is the most egotistical ? (Me.) 

IV. Is an exclamation ? (O.) 

V. Is a number? (Tenn.) 

VI. Is a young girl ? (Miss.) 

VII. Is sick? (III.) 

VIII. Is a church service? (Mass.) 

IX. Do tramps shun ? (Wash.) 

X. Is to cut grass? (Mo.) 

The prize for the Geography quiz may be a small globe. 

Arithmetic 

I. 500 plus a large boat equals without (D-ark) 

light 

II. 1000 plus a poem equals manner. . . . (M-ode) 

III. 1000 plus help equals an unmarried 

woman ( M-aid) 

IV. 500 uncooked equals to pull (D-raw) 

V. 500 plus a preposition equals a great 

noise ( D-in) 

VI, 50 plus a kind of tree equals part 

of a whip (L-ash) 

VII. 50 plus a finish equals to loan. . . . (L-end) 
VIII. 100 plus competent equals a heavy 

rope ( C-able) 

IX. I plus to scold equals angry (I-rate) 

X. 5 plus frozen water equals wick- 
edness (V-ice) 

The prize for this may be a box of pencils. 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 499 

The hostess, who acts in the capacity of teacher, then 
announces that the guests are ready for high school, and 
proceeds to test their ability by the following questions : 

Physiology 

What part of the human body — 

I. Are two established measures?. (Feet, hands) 
II. Are two musical instruments?.. (Drum, organ) 

III. Are small articles used by car- 

penters ? (Hammers) 

IV. Is an article used by artists?. . . (Palate) 
V. Are steps of a hotel ? (Instep) 

VI. Are dedicated buildings ? (Temples) 

VII. Are two graceful trees ? (Palms) 

VIII. Is a large wooden box? (Chest) 

IX. Is a male deer? (Heart) 

X. Are two students ? (Pupils) 

The prize for this may be a tiny skeleton. 

Literature 
What author is — 

I. A river in Italy? (Poe) 

11. A native of one of the British 

Isles? (Scott) 

III. An affliction of the feet ? (Bunyon) 

IV. The head of the Catholic church ? (Pope) 

V. An English hedge shrub? (Hawthorne) 

VI. A domestic animal and the noise 

of another? (Cow-per) 

VII. Not high and part of a house?. . (Low-ell) 
VIII. A dark mineral and a low line 

of hills ? (Cole-ridge) 



500 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

IX. A very tall man? (Longfellow) 

X. Without moisture and lair of an 

animal ? (Dry-den) 

The prize for this may be a gift book. 

Having completed these tests the class is ready for their 
graduation exercises. 

Appropriate gifts may be made to the different members 
of the class, each gift of course being significant of some 
characteristic of the recipient. A prophet may give an 
impromptu forecast of the future, while the historian may, 
in an amusing manner, recount the story of the class which 
has acquired an education at such record speed. 

Refreshments may be served in lunch boxes, and a 
pretty idea is to make the boxes of paper, using the class 
colors. The district school idea may be carried out more 
realistically, however, if tin pails and lunch boxes are 
used. If it is not advisable to make paper boxes, the lunch 
may be served in the pasteboard carriers for ice cream, 
et cetera, which may be easily obtained. These may be 
decorated with crepe paper, or parts of paper napkins 
pasted on each side. 



A Party Where Everybody Laughed 

Wishing to entertain, informally, a friend who was 
moving to another city, I invited a few of my friends and 
neighbors and a few of hers, one evening, to attend my 
"joke fest " on the porch. 1 invited them over the tele- 
phone and asked them to bring a good time with them. 
In other words, I asked each to bring a very short, funny 
story about different races or nationalities, a child's bright 
saying and a joke on herself. 

The company was seated on a vine-covered porch, made 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 501 

especially attractive for the occasion, and lighted by 
lanterns. 

When all had arrived I gave a little talk, stating that 
sometimes it was in order to laugh to keep from crying; 
that, as our friend was going to leave us, we were natur- 
ally sad, so I proposed that we " whistle to keep up our 
courage "; and that, as our friend was going on a journey, 
I would tell a Httle travel tale and if I should be lost for 
words, I should like the guests to help me out by whistling 
the first few bars of a song that would fit the situation. " 

The following is a specimen story : Leaving home 
for a little walking trip when the weather was growing 
warm and the buds were swelling on the trees, I wondered 
if winter had really gone. I was soon, however, to have 
the assurance that it had departed, for while strolling 
through a bit of woodland, I found the most beautiful 
bunch of (whistle, "Sweet Violets"). I then exclaimed, 
Spring is indeed at hand and summer will soon follow, 
bringing those bright cheerful flowers (whistle, "I'm 
Called Little Buttercup"). Surely, I thought, the season 
is advancing and we'll soon have with us (whistle, " The 
Good Old Summer Time"). I turned down an inviting 
shady lane, and there close at hand I saw (whistle, " The 
Old Log Cabin in the Lane"). As by this time I had 
become tired and thirsty, to my great pleasure I beheld 
close at hand (whistle, " The Old Oaken Bucket "). After 
refreshing myself from the bucket, I continued on my way, 
and, after tramping a number of miles, I at length reached 
a fine old orchard. As I was very weary, I decided to 
climb the wall and sit down to rest (whistle, " In the shade 
of the Old Apple Tree"). While resting I was impelled 
to think how lonesome I was and how (whistle, "Far 
From the Old Folks at Home"). I continued my travel 
from day to day without miihap, the season steadily ad- 



502 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

vancing. At length I was startled to realize how soon the 
autumn would be upon .me, for as I stopped to pick one 
more flower, I looked around, and, seeing no other, ex- 
claimed (whistle, " 'Tis the Last Rpse of Summer "). So, 
having completed my long " hike," I at length returned, to 
my great joy, to (whistle "Home Sweet Home"). 

If preferred, a story which comprises patriotic songs may 
be composed, or a love story could be used. 

Tiny wooden whistles would be appropriate as favors, 
and these may be tied to cards on which some quotation 
such as, " Oh, whistle and I'll come to ye, my lad," may 
be written. 

After this game I said that as our guest of honor was 
blessed with a well-known sense of humor, her unfailing 
ability to see the funny side of things had suggested to 
me the idea of a " joke fest." 

I started the ball rolling by relating a few jokes on the 
African race, after which a member of the company sang 
two negro dialect songs : " Don't You Cry, My Honey " 
and " Is Yo? " Each one was then invited to give a joke 
of the same character, the one giving the funniest being 
awarded, by a committee of judges, a huge watermelon. 

The next contest was for children's bright sayings, and 
while the judges were making up their decision a guest 
sang, " All Aboard for Blanket Bay." To the winner of 
the contest was presented a toy. 

The next and concluding contest brought out the "jokes 
on ourselves," each pledging not to repeat them to others 
not present. This was the merriest part of the program, 
and we laughed " till we cried " over the funny things told. 
The winner was presented with a new paper-back joke- 
book. 

A light supper and a general good time followed. The 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 503 

"joke fest " can be made a tremendous success as a care- 
killer. 

Living " On the Road " 

Hobo parties seem to be quite the rage, presumably 
because they dispense with all formality, and where the 
crowd are all well acquainted the party is great fun. 
A friend says that on a cool moonlight night in the 
autumn a party of people received invitations, written 
with red pencil on brown paper with ragged edges, to call 
at the back door of Mrs. Jones' at seven o'clock. There 
they were each given a paper bag containing a sandwich, 
and were told to go to Mrs. Brown's back door, quite a 
good walk in the opposite direction ; there each was given 
a paper basket containing salad and a pickle, and told to 
seek Mrs. Hick's back door, a long way off in the other 
part of the town, where they were each given a tin cup; 
and then they were told to go to a certain lodge hall where 
they were given hot coffee in their tin cups and told to 
spread their lunch, hobo fashion, and enjoy their suppers. 
After supper a social time was had during which each of 
the party related his or her experiences while on the way. 

That is one way to do it. Another way is to invite the 
guests to come attired as hobos, and award a small prize 
for the most fantastic costume. Porch settees may mas- 
querade as park benches, on one of which a tramp is no 
sooner seated than he is gruffly ordered to " move on " by 
a burlesque policeman. Free soup tickets may be issued, 
and redeemed at a small booth where punch or lemonade 
is served in small bowls from a huge kettle in which it 
was made. 

An appropriate game to play is known as " Stealing a 
Ride," a form of theft for which the hobo is notorious. 



504 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Arrange, one behind another Hke car seats, a sufficient 
number of chairs to seat all but two players. The latter 
are known respectively as the " hobo " and the " brake- 
man," and are stationed at opposite ends of the " train," 
several feet at one side. 

The brakeman proceeds to announce the " stations." If 
he calls out, " Change here for " a forfeit is de- 
manded from any who rise, or they may be ejected from 
the " train" and their seats removed. But when he cries, 
" All change ! " all must change seats. 

This is the hobo's cue to " board the train " if possible, 
and the brakeman's to prevent him by getting in his way. 
If the hobo fails he is out of the game and the rear seat 
is then removed, the player who occupied it becoming 
" hobo " in his place. If he succeeds, however, the 
" brakeman " becomes " hobo," the " brakeman's " place 
being filled by the player who is left without a seat. 

When the supper hour arrives the company is informed 
that refreshments must be earned by sawing wood. In 
time to a lively air they go through the motions of saw- 
ing, the music being played faster and faster until one 
after another the laughing and breathless victims are 
forced to drop out. A special reward may be presented 
to the last to succumb. 

Their task completed, the " Weary Willies " are invited 
to call at the kitchen door for a " hand-out." Here each 
receives a lunch tied up in a bandanna handkerchief and 
slung on the end of a stick; also a tin can filled with 
coffee, the partly detached lid serving as a handle by 
which to carry it. Then, in time to a lively march, the 
*' hobos " wind in and out through the rooms in single 
file, finally seating themselves on the floor around the fire- 
place, where the remainder of the evening is spent in 
eating, chatting and telling stories. 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 505 

A Hard Times Party 

The invitation for a Hard Times Party may be written 
on rough squares of cardboard, the following rime being 
used: 

Come in rags and come in tags, 
But not in silken gowns; 
We'll greet you in the same array 
And hope to see you blithe and gay, 
Next Friday night at seven o'clock; 
So at our door we hope you'll knock. 

After the guests have all arrived they may form a line 
for a " Single File Rag March." This is done to give 
the judges a good view of each individual. Prizes of pig 
banks, each containing a penny, should be awarded to the 
girl and boy wearing the most forlorn costumes. 

For the first game the well-known " Solemn Occasion " 
may be used. The guests are seated in a circle, each in 
turn repeating to his neighbor, " This is a very solemn 
occasion, more solemn than any other meetin' house." 
The party addressed may say or do anything funny to 
make the speaker laugh, but if the latter even so much as 
smiles he or she must pay the forfeit. 

The guests may then be directed to search for packages 
which are wrapped in blue paper for the girls and red 
for the boys, but the parcels are all found to contain one 
thing, a potato, and their unwrapping is the signal for a 
potato paring contest, a prize being awarded to each per- 
son who succeeds in paring his or her potato without 
breaking the paring. 

An imitation of a calliope will create a great deal of 
amusement. Six boys may be chosen to represent the 
pipes and the seventh the operator. The latter carries 
a long baton and taps each boy on the head to let him 



5o6 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

know that his turn for the next note has come. Some 
of the " notes " stick fast and occasion great delay. Of 
course, the success of the calliope depends on the ability 
of the players to make it amusing. 

Refreshments may be served on a table covered with oil- 
cloth and illuminated by candles stuck in bottles. Coffee 
should be passed in tin cups, while upon tin plates may be 
served baked beans, gingerbread, doughnuts, and pie. 

An Indian Party 

Invitations to a charming " Indian Party " were sent 
out by a Southern girl during the first early days of In- 
dian Summer, when the trees were just beginning to tinge 
red and gold, and while the air was yet mellow enough for 
entertaining outdoors. The notes were written on tinted 
water-color paper, and couched in the pretty language of 
" Hiawatha " : 

" She sent to all the village 
Messengers with wands of willow, 
As a sign of invitation, 
As a token of the feasting." 

The lawn of the hostess was decorated with shocks of 
wheat, stacks of yellow corn and branches of gay autumn 
leaves. A little tepee — which was really a small canvas 
tent decorated with gay, barbaric designs of scarlet and 
yellow — held place of honor on the lawn. A circle of 
mats and rugs lay in front of the tent, and after the guests, 
dressed as Indian " braves " and " squaws " in gay blan- 
kets, beads, jewelry and feathers, were seated around in a 
circle on the grass, little trays of wooden kindergarten 
beads and cord were passed among them. An obliging old 
pot, over which a skin had been stretched, furnished a 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 507 

muffled tattoo when pounded upon by wooden sticks, and 
supplied the signal which indicated the beginning of a 
" Stringing Race." 

The clumsy fingers and scarcely contained dignity of the 
Indian braves very much interfered with their efforts to- 
ward winning the prize — a pretty beaded fob — and also 
furnished unlimited amusement for the rest of the party. 

The men hung their bead circlets, when finished, on a 
screen back of the tepee, and the girls were given each a 
bow and arrow by which to shoot at the circlet targets. 
The " squaw " hitting nearest to the centre of any one of 
the bracelets was presented a pair of moccasins. In this 
way partners for the evening were chosen, the girl don- 
ning the bead circlet she had won, and the man pocketing 
the arrow. 

The hostess now went into the tepee and produced an 
armful of fagots tied with leather thongs, a bundle for 
each guest. The host started a bonfire in front of the 
tepee around which the party gathered, and hung over the 
flame a huge black pot. While the guests passed from 
hand to hand a " Pipe of Peace," making good wishes, the 
hostess ladled out the contents of the pot into little wooden 
bowls. As this was a Southern affair, the pot contained a 
famous broth of chicken gumbo, but it might hold choco- 
late or anything else. Coffee in tin cups was served and 
sandwiches in little wooden butter scoops. 

When the pot was removed a huge bowl of apples and 
nuts was produced, the fagots made ready, and the real 
fun of the evening began. As the " Indians " roasted 
apples and nuts, one guest at a time flung his fagots into 
the fire, and during the burning told, Indian-fashion, some 
mystical legend or superstition. After each had woven 
some quaint or curious tale a prize was awarded for the 
cleverest fancy. It might be well to have a book of Indian 



5o8 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

stories on hand for this purpose. An appropriate prize 
would be a tiny canoe in which an Indian is seated. 



A Slogan Party 

A friend was puzzled how to entertain a mixed crowd, 
both young and old, until she instituted a " Slogan Party." 
She cut out a number of pictures used by national adver- 
tisers, numbered them and pinned them to the walls with- 
out printed matter. Then as each guest arrived she 
pinned on him a slip of paper upon which she had written 
a slogan used by some advertiser. Each guest was then 
supplied with a strip of cardboard, numbered in one cor- 
ner and containing a list of numbers corresponding to the 
pictures and slogans. Each one was then requested to fill 
out as many of the numbers«as possible with the names of 
the commodities advertised. 

The pictures kept the guests moving about and there 
was great fun guessing the slogans. It worked out like 
this : " Who are you ? " one would ask another. " I am 

," the other would reply, reading the slogan pinned to 

him. Then if the first person guessed the name correctly 
she would set it down opposite the corresponding number 
of the cardboard. There were thirty-five slogans used, 
and a perusal of magazines will give more than that if 
desired. 

After the formality had worn off, and most had finished 
their cards and were seated, the hostess said : " Each of 
you will find a number on the corner of your card. You 
will seek the one holding a corresponding number, and we 
will proceed." 

A bustle ensued while partners were found. Then the 
hostess continued : " Now, a young couple have just been 
married. They will take a short honeymoon and will then 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 509 

go to housekeeping. You will have to help them with the 
articles you represent. Turn one of your cards over and 
write on the back just how the two articles you represent 
will help, using not less than ten words nor more than 
twenty-five. You may use the slogan if you desire." 
This was to enable those who were unable to guess who 
they were to take part. 

Then the cards were taken up and the hostess read a 
little story she had prepared about this young couple. 

This game may be played in different ways. It may be 
typewritten, with blank spaces left for the guests to fill 
in the advertised article and slogan, or the romance may 
be read after distributing the slips containing the names of 
the advertised articles, and the guests in turn may call off 
one of these names as the reader pauses, on the order 
of the " Peter Coddle " game. These names will, of 
course, be hit or miss and the result will sometimes be 
very amusing. In the blank spaces insert the names of 
the articles as numbered below and you will find that the 
insertion is most appropriate. 

They were at breakfast in their pretty, n?w home. 

Betty's happy smile was reflected in the (i) with 

which the table was prettily set, while Jack beamed at her 

as he sipped his cup of (2). " This is delightful! " 

he exclaimed enthusiastically; "and bless your dear little 

heart, you even remembered my fondness for (3) ! " 

" Yes," she replied ; " your mother told me that you never 
considered a breakfast complete without either them or 

• (4), so I made a mental note. But," she added, 

" these biscuits are my triumph. . Just try one ! " " They 
certainly look it," commented Jack, as he helped himself. 
" Delicious ! " he exclaimed after the first mouthful. 
Betty quickly left her seat at the table and perched herself 
on the arm of his chair. " Jack, dear," she said coax- 



510 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

ingly, " You've always said so much about your mother's 
cooking that I've felt a wee bit jealous, so just tell me 
these biscuits are better than hers." Jack hesitated. 
" Well, dearie, you want me to be truthful. They're just 
as good, but I can't say they're better. Mother always 

used (5), just the same as you, so I can't say that 

your biscuits are any better." 

Betty's face clouded. " That's real unkind of you, 
Jack," she protested, while Jack — but why repeat the de- 
tails of the first, the very first, quarrel? 

Jack spent an unhappy day. " It wasn't my fault," he 

thought, as he sought solace in (6). The persistent 

sound of the (7) made him nervous, while at lunch- 
eon time he merely ate a few (8). Yet, as the after- 
noon passed, and his (9) showed that closing time 

was near, he resolved that their first quarrel should be 
their last one. 

Meanwhile Betty's day had not been a happy one. She 
busied herself in her little home, washing the breakfast 

dishes with (10) and making her little kitchen fairly 

shine by the vigorous use of (n)- I^i her zeal to 

find some occupation she polished the windows with 

(12) and scoured the marble sills with (13)- 

At luncheon time she thought again of her foolish quar- 
rel with Jack, as she nibbled a (14). The afternoon 

seemed long and she endeavored to while away the time 
with the (15). 

At last she made a wise resolve. " I'll forget all this 
nonsense," she thought, " and try to make up for being so 
cross to Jack. I'll fix up to look my best, and I'll prepare 
his favorite dishes for dinner." The resolve was promptly 

acted upon. She massaged her face with (16) and 

added a "suggestion" of (17). She smiled as she 

looked in the mirror, for, thanks to (18), she had 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 511 

pretty teeth, and all girls who have pretty teeth smile 
easily. 

Next she put on one of her pretty trousseau gowns and 
found no difficulty in fastening the (19)- 

In planning her supper she remembered Jack's favorite 

dishes and concocted an appetizing dessert from (20). 

As a first course she decided upon (21), and also re- 
called that Jack was especially fond of (22), while, 

to give an especially festive air, she set upon the ice a 

bottle of (23). As she placed the (24) upon 

the table she heard Jack's latchkey in the door. " Jack ! " 
she called, as she hurried to him; "weren't we foolish 
to quarrel over nothing at all?" He smiled. "Here's 
a peace offering," he replied, as he held out to her a box 
of (25). 



A Sixteenth Birthday Party 

Invitations for a sixteenth birthday party are attractive 
if written on pink correspondence cards — the name, " at 
home," date and time on one side, and the following verse 
on the opposite side : 

Pray, come and have a merry play. 
We — ' little girls but yesterday. 
Now " standing with reluctant feet 
Where the brook and river meet " — 
May all be children for a day, 
And "gather rosebuds while we may"; 
For you, my friends, like me, I ween. 
Are near the milepost " Sweet Sixteen." 

It would be quite a novelty to serve the ice cream 
stamped with the number 16. 
To make a " sweet as sugar " Jack Horner, procure a 



512 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

cubical box of white pasteboard, and from each side cut 
an oblong panel large enough for the favors to pass 
through. Cover the openings with white tissue paper 
pasted to the box. 

Next cover the sides and bottom, including the panels, 
with mucilage, and sift on a thick, even coating of granu- 
lated sugar with a sugar shaker. It is advisable to do 
one side at a time and let it dry thoroughly before proceed- 
ing to the next. When finished remove the superfluous 
sugar by lightly tapping the inside of the box. 

Wrap the favors in tissue, tie with narrow ribbon, and 
thread the ribbons through the tissue panels from the in- 
side of the box. There should be alternately five and 
seven ribbons on a side. 

Tie the outer ends of the ribbons to pieces of cube sugar 
and to each of the latter paste a gummed-paper letter (pro- 
curable at any first-class stationer's), or an icing letter 
such as may be obtained from caterers, thus spelling out 
the words " Sweet Sixteen " twice repeated. 

Sixteen lumps of sugar tied together with baby ribbon 
are suspended over the block to complete the centerpie/ce. 

Social Evening Programs 

A Nature Social for a Moonlight Night 

(To follow prearranged work.) 

Given by the Tramp Club, which has been open to any- 
body with a cheerful disposition and a fondness for hiking. 

Admission to church social, one tulip bulb, to be planted 
on the church lawn by moonlight. 

Each hike taken by the club has had in view some spe- 
cial contest, and pennants will be awarded to all who have 
taken six out of eight hikes, and prizes to winners : 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 513 

Amateur picture contest. 

First ten to show collection of twenty different kinds of 

leaves. 
Winners in hare and hounds race. 
" Nourishing " prizes to winners of hilltop race, said 

prizes consisting of fudge or of cookies tied with club 

colors. 

Games: Leaf-guessing contest, guessing trees, twenty- 
four tree-rime game with pictures : 

A lofty forest tree am I, 
I grow in all parts of our land; 

My bark provides you with a dye, 
And leather by me oft is tanned. 

Social ends with planting of bulbs and adjournment to 
hilltop for moonlight sing and refreshments of such fruits 
as grow on trees. 



Indian Social or Corn Festival 

Invitations on tepee-shaped cards cut from imitation 
birch-bark paper addressed in Indian style to Squaw Smith 
or Chief Jones, with the words : 

Each Squaw and Each Brave is Requested to Walk 

To the Pow-Wow on Friday to Hear Big Talk 

Moon of the Falling Leaves On Day Before Full Moon 

One Hour After Sunset 

Decorations are as woodsy as possible with tepee of 
stacked cornstalks. 

When the squaws and braves arrive their correct names 
are taken and they are given the names of Indian chiefs 
or tribes, or a word contributed by Indians to the English 
language, with which they respond to roll call. 



514 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Indian huntress drill. 

Debate : " Resolved, That the white man has helped the 
Indian more than he has injured him." 

Moving or stereopticon pictures of Indian life. 

Refreshments: Corn chowder and corn cake. Girl in 
Indian dress steps from tepee and distributes popcorn balls. 

Indian scenery may be rented, a miniature Indian village 
purchased for exhibition or story work, interesting Indian 
post cards sold or displayed, and tepee mite boxes dis- 
tributed if it is a money-making entertainment. 

A Sociable Social 

This form of social is especially good at the close of a 
business meeting or it may be used to eliminate wallflow- 
ers on any occasion. 

After the business session is over, or preceding a for- 
mal program, small tables are arranged in the room and 
are each presided over by a young lady hostess. Enough 
seats are provided at the tables for all present, and as the 
members and guests are shown to the seats they are intro- 
duced to each other. The matron pours hot chocolate or 
coffee and the waitresses serve ice cream, cake and candy. 

While all are seated the short program is given if no 
business meeting is held, and the company is then enter- 
tained by an exhibit of " Miss Almira Pease's Family Al- 
bum." If given by a girls' organized class bust photo- 
graphs may be shown of " Grandfather Hobbs " and " My 
Husband." 

A Newspaper Social 

Invitations should be in headline style : " Good Nature 
and Thinking Caps Needed for Great Social on Maple 
Road. Guests Must be Dressed in Newspapers. Indi- 
gestion Remedies to be on Hand," 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 515 

Decorations of newspapers in fluted fan shapes, gar- 
lands and flowers. 

Gentlemen's suits may be plainly covered with news- 
papers. Ladies' suits may be of accordion-plaited skirts 
and kimono waists, or they may wear newspaper aprons 
and ruffs and headline headbands. 

Ushers are ''newsies": "Have a seat, sir?" 

Groups may be formed for the writing of the various 
departments of " The Pioneer Oral Journal," including 
local items, foreign news, fashions, sports, woman's page, 
amusements, etc., including the serving of refreshments by 
the domestic-science department, at which time the vari- 
ous departments of the paper are " read." 

Or, if preferred, these games may be played: 

" Headline " Game : A sensational headline is pasted 
at the top of a large sheet of paper. Story to be written 
around some well-known character. 

Charades on names of papers may be given. " Exam- 
iner," woman looking over pile of mending ; " Youth's 
Companion," boy and dog, etc. 

" Cub-Reporter " game : Between green reporters and 
"innocent bystanders." Fifteen words supplied on which 
to work. 

Dining-room decorated with advertising posters. Menu 
card to be decorated with a characteristic advertising fig- 
ure without the name of the articles, which is to be 
guessed. Articles of food are designated by the slogans 
used to advertise them and not by name. 

Instead of " after-dinner " speeches the results of the 
various games and contests are read. 

Musical selections may be interspersed and a " Lost and 
Found " department will afford amusement. " The Lost 
Chord" has been found by the choir, and the orchestra 
advertises for a new tune. 



5i6 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Ye Mirthful Meeting 

Held by Ye Olde Folks Who " Used to Take Part," or 
Who Would Like To, Which Might be Known as a Non- 
sense Entertainment. 

Impersonation of children by adults, who will speak the 
pieces they spoke when they were children. 

" Ye Olde-Time Selection," by the Jew's-Harp Soloist 
and the Comb Band. 

Motion song : " Swinging 'Neath the Old Apple Tree." 

Pictures of the performers and their friends when chil- 
dren will be shown on the screen. 

Humorous recitation : " When Pa Was a Boy." 

Grandparents prize-speaking contest : " Curfew Shall 
Not Ring Tonight," etc. 

The " Youthful Squad " : Seven old ladies in modern 
dress, from slippers to millinery, sing a parody on " Back- 
ward, Turn Backward." 

Old-fashioned games. 

Domestic Social 

We're going to have a kitchen shower; 
Thursday — the church — seven-thirty the hour; 
We want you to bring some jars of fruit; 
Some jelly or ketchup or pickle would suit! 
Or a pot or a pan, or some kitchen device — 
Or even some money we'll think very nice ! 
But what we want most (we'll tell you true) 
Is the best of all — and that is YOU. 

Ladies' song and chorus : " Life would be an easy mat- 
ter if we didn't have to eat." 

Humorous recitation : " The Hen " — a parody. 

Kitchen tableaux, such as " John Alden and Priscilla " ; 
■' The Courtin'." 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 517 

Exhibition of thread-and-needle pictures. 
Sewing contests: Buttons and buttonholes. 
Refreshments : Sandwiches and cake sewed up in nap- 
kins ; candy and nuts sewed in tiny bags. 

Autumn or Old Home Week Social 

Invitations written on rolls of paper inserted in tiny 
cornucopias : 

The happy harvest time is here, 
So join us now in social cheer. 
A horn of plenty's filled for you, 
A welcome warm is waiting, too. 

Song: "The Dearest Spot on Earth to Me is Home, 
Sweet Home." 

" Autumn Leaves," a fancy drill for six girls. 

Debate by " The Owls," a boys' club formed for debate 
and athletics : " Resolved, That the farmer is more useful 
to society than the mechanic." 

" My Town," a post-card guessing game. 

Horns of plenty: Ice-cream-filled cones. 

Song : " For the Blessings That Surround Me, Thanks 
to Thee, My Native Land." 

For a Newcomer 

To entertain one who has just been through the vicissi- 
tudes of moving into the suburbs a " Real-Estate Party " 
is a novelty. 

Send out invitations in the shape of miniature real-estate 
notices : 

Wanted — Parties to investigate a number of offers for 
charming homes, both in the city and in the suburbs. Descrip- 



5i8 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

tions and photos on exhibition at at eight o'clock — — 

, evening. 

When the guests arrive give each a description of some 
estate for sale ; these may be real or imaginary, or a host- 
ess may assist her imagination by looking up some of the 
offers of the real-estate dealers who advertise. Good- 
sized squares of stiff white cardboard and a tube of paste 
may be given each guest, also a number of illustrated 
magazines, with scissors for cutting out any desired illus- 
tration. On these squares each guest is to illustrate the 
description on the advertising card given her by the host- 
ess, by pasting on pictures, trees, stables, etc., until the 
home is completed. This game may be played progres- 
sively, more than one house being illustrated by each per- 
son. When all the houses are illustrated a vote may be 
taken as to the most effective, taking into consideration 
the description given in the card of advertisement. The 
prize may be a sheet of music with the words of " Home, 
Sweet Home." 

After luncheon the guests may tell experiences of suc- 
cessful house hunting. 

A tiny moving van may be the table centerpiece, a toy 
wheelbarrow holding bonbons standing on each side of it. 
The favors may be little buckets filled with candy. 

Serving without a Maid 

The description sent to me of ?uch a party says the 
dinner-cards were numbered, and partners Number One 
were requested to retire to the butler's pantry, where they 
donned waitresses' caps and aprons. Then they threw 
open the dining-room doors and demurely announced: 
" Dinner is served." The same couple served the oysters, 
having their own informally in the pantry. At the end of 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 519 

the first course, after they had carried out the dishes be- 
longing to it, they divested themselves of their uniforms, 
seated themselves at the table, and were served in turn 
by couple Number Two, and so on. It was the j oiliest 
dinner imaginable, the couples vying with each other in 
graceful and prompt serving. 

To Match Partners 

For an evening party have a number of ribbons of vari- 
ous lengths and colors, as many as there are guests. Tie 
tiny bells to each ribbon end, gather the ribbons together 
in the center and place them between folding doors, so 
that half of the ribbons fall on one side of the door and 
the other half on the other. Divide the guests, having the 
girls in one room and the men in another, and bid each 
guest choose a ribbon. The couple holding the ends of the 
same streamer become partners. Cut the ribbon and tie 
in rosettes. 

Debate a la Costume 

A crowd of congenial girls can have a jolly evening if 
half of the number will costume themselves in frivolous 
frills and furbelows to represent a " clinging vine " type 
of girlhood, the other half to be austere in manner and se- 
vere in dress — in tailored shirtwaists, ties and coats. 
During the evening start a vigorous debate wherein the 
" clinging " ones argue for matrimony and domesticity, 
and the others dilate on the glories of a " career for 
women." This might be arranged for the entertainment 
of a number of guests, and would be a good idea to use 
at a school party. 



520 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

A Fair Exchange 

Each guest was requested to bring something which was 
begun, for some one else to finish. Also to write and in- 
close in the parcel directions for what they wished done, 
and to wrap the parcel so the contents could not be seen. 
As each guest arrived her parcel was taken and put in a 
clothes-basket. After all had arrived the basket was 
passed and each guest selected a package. There was 
great fun in opening the packages. One found a tangled 
bunch of embroidery silk to be untangled and sorted, an- 
other a stocking to darn, another a turban to trim. One 
found a book of three hundred pages. An inclosed note 
read, " I have perused this book to page seven ; please fin- 
ish reading and tell the story." There was a love story 
to be finished and some poetry to be completed. Several 
bars of music were written and the air was to be finished 
and played on the piano. 

Later, when the hostess requested those whose Chris- 
tian names began with A to group and display their work 
and carry out directions, there was no hesitation. Each 
entered into the fun and did what was asked for. The 
others were called for alphabetically. The finished music 
was played on the piano — and such harmony and such 
an original style ! A funny story was told from the three- 
hundred-page book, A classic poem was read and a thrill- 
ing love story recited. 

Just for Fun 

In the belief that a little nonsense now and then is rel- 
ished by the wisest men, a lady belonging to a summer 
colony of gifted people invited her neighbors to a " Fool- 
ishness Party." One of the pastimes was the tearing out 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 521 

of a person, animal or article from a piece of newspaper 
about sixteen inches long and twelve inches wide that had 
been given to each guest. 

The results were pinned to the wall and a committee of 
artists judged them and awarded suitable prizes. 

As the work progressed someone remarked that they 
were having a " tearing good time." This game, con- 
ducted without any expense, is a good one for a silhouette 
party. 

Silhouette paper, black on one side and white on the 
other, costs only two cents a sheet, and the invitations and 
place-cards may be ornamented with pictures cut from 
the paper, 

A Rest Party 

A girl who planned a most unusual affair called it a 
" Rest Party," and gave it in honor of her girl friend's 
engagement': 

Both girls, Gertrude and Laura, had been through a 
very tiring two weeks of festivity. Laura was so nearly 
exhausted with house parties, luncheons, showers, etc., 
that Gertrude was very unwilling to add to the " burden of 
enjoyment." But, on the other hand, if she did not play 
the hostess at all for her best friend it would have seemed 
indifferent. She finally decided upon a quiet afternoon 
with a " name." Everything is in a name. She first made 
four-page booklets from a half sheet of buff writing paper, 
advertising 

Laurence Rest Cure for Depleted Society Butterflies 

Organized (Date) 
(Name of Place) 

On the first sheet, which answered for the cover, she 
painted a poppy. The second page described the " cure " 



522 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

as being pleasantly located in Laurence's back yard, and 
contained assurances that an effort was made to maintain 
a homelike atmosphere. " Rules for Patients " occupied 
the third page: 

1st class: Convalescent patients — Sit and sew. 
2d class : Quite tired patients — Sit and talk. 
3d class : Very tired patients — Sit and think. 
4th class : Superlatively tired patients — SIT. 
All classes of patients are expressly forbidden to exert them- 
selves to be agreeable. 

On the last page were the rates, $50 an hour up, de- 
pending upon the rest required. Gertrude slipped a card 
inside, saying : " You are invited as a guest of the man- 
agement on Tuesday, the tvi^enty-third of June, from 
three o'clock until half after five." 

She borrowed enough steamer chairs and easiy-chairs to 
accommodate the guests, and spread white paper towels on 
the back of each, lettered : " Rest for the Weary." These 
chairs were arranged on the lawn in a sheltered back yard 
which had a restful outlook of shrubbery and trees, and a 
flower garden in the center. A table with a jug of pop- 
pies was the decoration. The back porch was darkened 
with screens and the couch hammock was fitted up with 
pillows and a light shawl and a large printed sign: " For 
5th-Class Patients Only." From the hammock the glass 
in the side door could be seen covered with signs : " Be 
Calm," " Rest in Peace," etc. 

The front door was decorated with a card — " Laurence 
Rest Cure " — and over the bell was a card saying: " Ring 
this bell for Supervisor of Nurses." Gertrude wore a 
nurse's white uniform and opened the door. Signs on the 
doors explained themselves : " The Doctor is in. Please 
Be Seated." And when they had all arrived they saw a 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 523 

hand on a sign : " This Way to the Rest PaviUon." Out- 
side, near the chairs was another sign : " Do Not Exert 
Yourself. Let the Nurse Do It." 

The girls were genuinely tired and genuinely apprecia- 
tive of quiet, and some of them brought their work and 
some of them didn't. The only effort at entertainment 
was a " Physical and Psychological Examination," the 
questions having been typewritten beforehand. Gertrude 
passed them quietly to each guest, with the instruction that 
the " doctor would like to have you fill out the blanks when 
you feel able." 

Some of the questions in the physical test were these: 
How many teeth have you? What is the exact color of 
your eyes? What is the state of your heart (check with 
cross) : whole, broken, lost, patched or aching? 

The psychological questions were in part as follows: 
Do you like to be alone? What color is most restful to 
you? Arrange in order of importance the following 
crimes: Stealing a penny from a beggar's cup; breaking 
and entering with intent to rob; throwing hot water on a 
kitten. (With these data the doctors can more efficiently 
diagnose your case.) 

One of the girls, entering into the spirit of the affair, 
went to the piano just inside the window and sang a lul- 
laby. An encore was " Sing Me to Sleep." 

If a girl wished to carry out the idea in regard to re- 
freshments, she might serve light egg drinks and bread- 
and-butter sandwiches; but Gertrude's guests disliked 
eggs, so she served strawberry ice and cakes, giving as a 
favor a pill box filled with almonds. 

Now the arrangements for that party didn't cost very 
much besides thought, did they ? 



524 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Good Cheer Parties 

The new winter parties are first of all " good cheer " 
parties and the main object of the evening is to make peo- 
ple forget their troubles and smile awhile. 

Invite your friends to a " Smile Party." The admis- 
sion to this party is a smile, and anyone failing to give a 
smile should be asked to pay a forfeit later in the evening. 
Near the entrance place a large sign bearing some bright 
quota!tion such as: 

Smile 

Smile a smile. 

While you smile another smiles, 
And soon there's miles and miles 
Of smiles. And life's worth while 
If you but smile. 

At the door stands a reception committee of five, dressed 
in funny costumes. The guests are introduced to these 
five and learn that their names are Mr. Smile, Mrs. Smile, 
Mr. Grin, Mrs. Grin and Little Grin. This committee 
greet the guests with smiles. 

As soon as the guests are all welcomed someone in 
charge may call their attention to " Half Smiles " hung on 
the walls around the room. These are bright, cheery, 
" smiley " quotations that have been written on large 
sheets of paper and cut into halves, then the first few lines 
of the quotation hung in one place and the last few lines 
in another place. The guests are requested to complete 
as many quotations as possible on cards or pieces of paper 
that have been furnished them. 

The prizes for the evening should be little smiling fig- 
ures, or little books of cheery verses — always on the 
smile idea. 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 525 

Movie Comedies 

One amusing game to play may be called " Movie Come- 
dies," or " Funny Movies." The guests draw^ from a box 
slips of paper on vv^hich they v^ill find one of the w^ords — 
grin, smile, laugh, smirk, giggle or other words of like 
character. After all have drawn it is announced that all 
the " grins " are to collect in a certain place, all the 
" smiles " in another, and so on, until all have collected 
in little groups about the room. 

The group having the most original and the funniest 
stunt to perform when, after a few minutes, the time is 
called for the performances to commence wins the prize. 

The evening may close with refreshments, the cookies 
being made in funny shapes and animal crackers, with 
punch served in soup dishes. 

A fine may be levied at the close of the evening or a for- 
feit required from the person who failed to smile upon 
arriving or who has smiled the least during the evening. 

A " Good Cheer " party, such as was recently given by 
one hostess, proved so unique and interesting that I must 
tell about it. Each guest was given a typewritten card. 
On the card were questions to which the answers must be 
guessed, and opposite each question was its number. Pen- 
cils were attached to the cards by gay ribbons. The ques- 
tions all had to do with " good cheer " and were com- 
pounded of the homely wit and philosophy of the world, 
such as: 

(1) Who said 

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine"? 

(2) Who said 

" I am the master of my fate, 
I am the captain of my soul"? 



526 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

(3) Who said 

" That men may rise on stepping stones 
Of their dead selves to higher things " ? 

(4) Who said 

" All are architects of Fate, 
Working in these walls of time"? 

(5) To whom were attributed the lines 

"Fain would I climb, yet fear I to fall." 
" If thy heart fails thee, climb not at all " ? 

(6) From what part of the country comes the expression 

"It's dogged as does it"? 

ICey: (i) King Solomon. (2) William Ernest Henley. 
(3) Lord Alfred Tennyson. (4) Henry Wadsworth Longfel- 
low. (5) Sir Walter Raleigh and Queen Elizabeth. (6) 
From New England. 

As soon as the answers had been guessed or partly 
guessed, those present were given small cardboard checks 
with numbers on them, the one who guessed most getting 
No. I, the next No. 2, and so on. The guests were then 
asked to step, one at a time, into the next room, where 
their hostess had a surprise in store for them. They were 
to take from that room anything with numbers corre- 
sponding to the checks they had in hand. 

On a long table in the room they entered were ranged 
a goodly number of passe-partout mottoes, proverbs and 
verses. Some were homemade, the verses having been 
clipped from magazines or newspapers and then mounted. 
Others were typewritten and then mounted and framed. 
All conveyed distinct messages. Each bore a ticket with 
a number. 

Some were brief quotations from Carlyle or Stevenson ; 
all of Henley's poem, " I am the master of my fate," was 
given, and Kipling's " If " was made in a long, slender 



" MIXERS " AND JOLLY NOVELTIES 527 

panel to hang against the wall. Stevenson's " If I have 
faltered more or less in my high task of happiness " was 
another poem of just the right length. There were hu- 
morous quotations from " Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage 
Patch " and from " Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm." 
There was also Edward Everett Hale's " Look up and not 
down. Look forward and not back. Look out and not 
in. And lend a hand ! " 

When the " Good Cheer " party was over all felt that 
they had not only had a good time, but had gained some- 
thing of genuine value. It had given everyone something 
to take home and remember. 

The Laugh About Them Club 

Parties of this kind might lead to such a result as the 
L. A. T. Club, which was formed by three or four young 
married women who were talking together, as they usually 
do, about their many trials — that is, the servant problem, 
high cost of living, etc. One who had been a silent but 
thoughtful listener suddenly began to laugh. When ques- 
tioned, she said: "I was just thinking how funny it all 
is." 

And then, in answer to their indignant protests, she 
told them of the various annoying things that had hap- 
pened to her that day; but she made her story so humor- 
ous that her hearers laughed rather than sympathized with 
her. Then they decided to form a " Laugh About Them " 
Club and meet one evening a week to regale one another 
with their woes. 

It was agreed that each member should bring to these 
meetings at least one tale of housewifely trials, but that 
the story should be served so merrily that it would be a 
huge joke; each member should pledge herself to put five 



528 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

cents into a small bank for each time she failed to laugh 
over daily disasters, all real troubles being excepted natur- 
ally; at the end of six months the one who had given the 
funniest narrative should be entertained by the other mem- 
bers, the fines being used for refreshments or a prize. 

The plan worked beautifully and those weekly meetings 
grew to be hilarious events. The housewife, in fact, far 
from lamenting trials, longed for them in order to make 
effective stories, and competition ran high. After awhile 
the curious husbands, finding out the source of continuous 
good humor on the part of their wives, formed a like club 
and called themselves " The Merry Whistlers." 

Once a month these two clubs met and exchanged con- 
fidences. Later they combined forces and amended the 
" fine " rule, which read like this : Every time a catastro- 
phe happened, and wife laughed and husband forgot to 
whistle or vice versa, the five cents should go from one 
club to the other. You can imagine the funny results of 
this proposition. 

On one occasion the " Laugh About Them " Club gave 
the " Merry Whistlers " the following test : 

Can You — 

Give the anniversary of your wedding? 

Tell the date of your wife's birthday? 

Describe the dress your wife is wearing at this minute? 

Give a recipe for a cake? 

Tell the price of butter and eggs? 

Sew a button on your suit in two minutes ? 

The one best meeting this test was styled the " Blue 
Ribbon " husband. 



CHAPTER XXIII 
CHILDREN'S PARTIES 

A Birthday Party for the Wee Ones 

The " honoree " of this unusual party was just one year 
old. Since she was the only chick in the home nest, her 
mother resolved to celebrate every birthday with a real 
little party. To this one eleven other babies and their 
mothers were asked. 

The guests were invited into the reception room, where 
a bright little girl of three years presided over the regis- 
ter. After the babies' names were recorded they passed 
into the living room. The floor was covered with big soft 
comforts, and there were birthday toys too numerous to 
mention. The babies were all delighted and, of course, all 
the mothers were fairly beaming as they watched them 
play. 

After a time the dining room was opened and fairy- 
land made real. The " Sugar-Plum Tree " itself couldn't 
have rained more goodies than appeared to the eager, won- 
dering babies. Twelve high chairs surrounded the table 
and dainty little place-cards were used, " just like grown- 
ups." To the back of each chair was tied a gingham bib 
— blue for the girls and pink for the boys. A birthday 
cake was the central ornament. Tapers with pink floral 
shades shed a soft illumination over the table. 

The menu for the children was mostly milk, some of 
which was brought bottled by the little guests themselves. 
Wholesome crackers made the " feast " a little more 
529 



530 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

" elaborate." Dolls and bibs were given as favors. After 
the babies had been satisfied the mothers were served a 
dainty salad with olives, wafers and coffee. 



A Birthday Party for a " Two- Year-Old " 

Use a round table if possible ; let the center represent a 
farmyard scene. For grass use the green cut straw that is 
used below Christmas trees. Have a barn, some trees, a 
small hay wagon and groups of small animals, such as 
horses, cows and dogs, with chickens and ducks scattered 
about. Small dolls standing around would add to the 
effect. 

At the close of the party the little guests could be each 
given a toy to take home. 

Besides the necessary high chair for the little one have 
at each place a plate of nursery china, with a Mother 
Goose picture and rime, or animals, on it, and a bib with 
the child's name in cross-stitch ; this last to be taken home. 

The refreshments should be most simple, such as small 
cups of milk, thin slices of bread and butter, vanilla ice 
cream and tiny, round sponge cakes with two wee candles 
in each. 

An Eight- Year-Old's Birthday 

Following is an account of how an eight-year-old boy's 
birthday was celebrated. Only boys were invited, and 
after a few games, which were played while the table was 
being spread in the dining room, the youngsters were ush- 
ered to a simple little feast, the main feature of which was 
the birthday cake. This occupied the center of the table, 
and, instead of being decorated with candles, there were 
eight American flags planted in the white icing. To each 
flag was attached a long colored string leading in pairs 



CHILDREN'S PARTIES 531 

to each corner of the table, where the end was lost in a 
dish of mottoes — just the old-fashioned kind, with candies 
wrapped up in paper with fringed edges of different col- 
ors. In this case there were eight prizes hidden among 
the candies, and each string led from a flag to a package 
to which it was tied. 

The boys were given their choice of colors, and then 
each took the flag attached to the colored string chosen, 
and pulled his package out of its hiding place, so that each 
one drew a prize. 

Children get great fun out of small things, and when 
the boy who thought he had a nice big chocolate cream 
found in its place a great brown marble, or he who ex- 
pected a gumdrop or a caramel found he had a little solid- 
rubber ball, shouts of laughter greeted the discovery. 

There were jackstones, too, and little " migs " and a 
pretty agate marble, each prize being different from the 
others. 

Afterward the party ended in a frolic of games and 
laughter until time for the little chaps to be sleepy and say 
good-night. 

When Nancy Has a Birthday 

Miss Nancy Allen hopes that you, 
Next Wednesday afternoon, at two, 

Will come and play; 
For she'll be eight years old that date, 
And you're to help her celebrate 

The happy day. 

Nancy's little guests will probably be able to amuse 
themselves very nicely until that most important time of 
day arrives — suppertime ; and the most unusual and most 
entertaining part of Nancy's celebration is the supper. 



532 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

When the children are summoned to the dining room 
they will see a long table covered with a white cloth, 
with a place for each one of them; but they will see 
nothing, at first, that looks like a supper except the glass 
of lemonade in front of each plate. 

In the center of the table there is a green lawn, and in 
the center of the lawn a big square white house, with a 
dark foundation and with porch, windows and doors. On 
the roof is a chimney, from which real fire and smoke are 
coming. 

Walks lead from the porches to the garage in the cor- 
ner; the lawn is dotted with beds of gay flowers, shrubs 
and trees are growing everywhere and the whole of it is 
completely fenced in ! 

The green lawn is a strip of green Unen. The house is 
a square three-layer cake frosted on top and sides and 
resting on one of the inverted cake pans, thus represent- 
ing a dark foundation. The chimney on the roof — placed 
a little at one side of the center — is a small frosted cake; 
on top of it are eight little red candles burning, with a 
taller one in the center for Nancy to " grow on." 

On two opposite sides of the house two large windows 
are outlined with slender green " opera sticks." (If this 
candy cannot be obtained, strips of citron or of orange 
peeling may be used.) On the other two sides are two 
smaller windows with a big door between them; a fat 
raisin makes an excellent doorknob, and small colored 
candies arranged in a fantastic pattern pass nicely for 
stained-glass windows in the doors. The porches consist 
of two rows of small, square sandwiches arranged " three- 
deep," then " two-deep " and " one-deep " to represent 
steps. 

The garage is made of a large " block " of sandwiches. 
The walks are salted Saratoga wafers; the fenceposts are 



CHILDREN'S PARTIES 533 

halves of deviled eggs, with salted wafers connecting them 
from top to top. The beds of colored flowers are merely 
novel arrangements of colored candies outlined with salted 
nuts to represent the usual row of stones around a flower 
bed. The trees and shrubs are bits of foliage or flowering 
sprigs, placed in empty spools. 

The children will eat the garage first, then the porches 
and the steps ; after those the fence and the walks. While 
the ice cream is being served — the only part of the sup- 
per to be brought from the kitchen — and the house is be- 
ing cut to pieces, the little guests can demolish the flower 
beds. Last of all, they will pluck the trees and shrubs 
from their spool trunks, for souvenirs. 

This novel method of serving the birthday supper is a 
source of extreme enjoyment to the children; it is the 
" Gingerbread House "of the fairy tale come really true. 

Nancy's mother may expect the little guests to spend a 
much longer time at the table than when the supper is 
served in the conventional way. 

A Children's Easter Party 

A Rabbit Party will fittingly celebrate Easter Monday 
and the cards of invitation may be decorated with rabbits, 
which may be painted, drawn or cut out. The following 
rime will be suitable for the invitations: 

On Monday next please be my guest. 
And may the day be bright and sunny. 

We'll play the games we like the best 
And maybe meet the Easter bunny. 

An egg hunt will interest the children at once, and for 
this purpose provide each child with a basket tied with a 
different colored ribbon or crepe paper. Direct them to 



534 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

hunt for Easter eggs and favors, but add that each child 
is only entitled to favors wrapped in the color correspond- 
ing to his or her basket. For instance, the child having 
a violet basket can only keep favors wrapped in violet pa- 
per. This will insure each child receiving the same num- 
ber of eggs and Easter gifts. 

Tossing eggs will prove an amusing game and for this 
purpose make three nests from colored rafifia, using dif- 
ferent colors. Provide each child with twelve jelly eggs 
which are to be tossed in the nests, an egg in the smallest 
nest scoring fifteen and the next ten, and in the last five. 

An " egg-rolling " contest will be enjoyed by the chil- 
dren. For this purpose several leaves of a table may be 
used, forming an inclined plane. Each guest is provided 
with a hard boiled egg, and two at a time roll their eggs 
down the board. Those who safely roll their egg down 
are permitted to keep it, but if an egg is cracked by col- 
lision, it becomes the property of the other contestant; 
while if both eggs suffer, they are forfeited. 

Pinning the ears on the Easter rabbit is a game which 
may be played similarly to the time-honored Donkey Game. 

Another very amusing game is the Egg Scramble. Fill 
a number of small paper bags with eggs and hang several 
feet apart on a line stretched across the room. Blindfold 
the children in turn, give them an egg-beater, turn them 
around several times a few feet from the line of bags and 
tell them to walk to the bags and hit one. If a bag is 
broken, let the children scramble for the eggs. A good 
prize for the winner of this contest would be a fancy egg 
with a crystal picture inside. 

A contest which the girls will enjoy consists in making 
Easter bonnets, and for this purpose provide each guest 
with a number of sheets of colored tissue paper, paste, 
scissors and pins. Request each guest to make an Easter 



CHILDREN'S PARTIES 535 

bonnet and award a prize to the one whose bonnet is 
deemed the best. 

A novel means of distributing favors consists in ar- 
ranging a " Daffodil Bed," and for this purpose either 
artificial or natural flowers may be used. Wrap the fa- 
vors with brown paper and tie to the stem of each daffodil, 
burying it in sand or moss. Each child is allowed to go to 
the " Daffodil Bed " and pluck a flower, receiving of 
course the favor which is fastened to the stem. 

The party table maybe prettily decorated with rabbits 
and a large rabbit will be an effective centerpiece. This 
bunny should hold in its paws as reins, a number of 
lengths of colored ribbon and each ribbon should be fas- 
tened to a small rabbit at each child's place. 

The refreshments may consist of deviled egg sand- 
wiches, rabbit cakes, jelly eggs, frozen custard in egg 
form, salted nuts and fruit lemonade. 

Corn Race 

The leader of this game selects a handful of corn from 
the bin and holds it tight between the palms of his hands, 
the other players standing in a circle around him. Then, 
as in the old game of " Button, Button," the leader puts 
his closed hands into the open hands of each of the other 
players in turn, pretending to drop in the corn. Perhaps 
the leader will make the round of the players twice, but 
at last some child receives the corn. This player is then 
chased and is only saved from being " it " by being able to 
give the corn back to the leader before he is tagged. 

Clam-Shell Fight 

All of the players provide themselves with an equal 
number of large clam shells or oyster shells, after which 



536 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

they divide into groups of two, each couple standing fac- 
ing each other about four feet apart. After counting out 
to see who shall be " it " the child in each couple who is 
chosen must put one shell on the ground exactly between 
him and his opponent. His opponent then throws one of 
his shells upon the one which lies on the ground, trying 
to break it; if he is successful he wins one of the other's 
shells and has a chance to smash another. This is con- 
tinued until all of one player's shells have been won by his 
partner. 

" Chicken " Game 

One sees the little Chinese children playing this game 
in the streets of Hong Kong. A number of straight rows 
of kindling wood are laid on the ground — as many rows as 
there are children — in each row ten sticks an easy hop- 
ping distance apart. The players who are the " chickens " 
stand at the head of the lines. At a given signal each be- 
gins to hop over the sticks in his line. Only one foot must 
touch the ground at a time, so it is not an easy journey. 
When the end of a row is successfully reached the last 
stick is kicked away and the " chicken " hops back to his 
starting point. As soon as he reaches the first stick that, 
too, may be kicked away, and he continues his hopping, 
backward and forward, until only one stick remains in his 
row. The player who does this first wins the game. 

Balloon Race 

For a balloon race several hoops will be needed and a 
fan for each player. The hoops should be suspended about 
five feet from the ground; the balloons, in the course of 
the race, must pass through them in regular order. The 
balloons should be on short cords with a tiny bag of sand 



CHILDREN'S PARTIES 537 

on each, so that their buoyancy will keep them in the air 
about on a line with the center of the hoops. 

Each player has one balloon assigned to him, with his 
number plainly marked on the little bag; and the balloons 
must be sent through the hoops by the wind from the 
fans. 

This game has many possibilities and may be played by 
any number of persons. It may be made long or short, 
easy or difficult, to suit the players and the size of the field. 
At least two hoops should be used, and if desired and the 
space permits the hoops may be arranged like croquet 
arches and the general rules of that game may be fol- 
lowed. 

Balloon Tag 

If you are thinking of giving the children a party why 
not have a try at a game so new as to have been played 
but once in all history? It was originated by a clever 
hostess through happening to see the crowd at a fair go 
in pursuit of an escaping toy gas balloon. 

The only essentials are just such a gas balloon for each 
player — they're only a nickel apiece at retail — and a 
spool of heavy thread. Tie a spool to one end of the 
thread, and from your attic window let the spool fall to 
the ground, the thread in pursuit. That measures the 
height of a fair-sized house for you, and you cut the 
thread there. An easy way of measuring off, isn't it? 
Haul up the spool and tie the loose end of the thread to 
a balloon. All the balloons should have threads of the 
same length. 

. When the little guests arrive on the lawn each is given 
a balloon. The thread is entwined around the spool to 
make certain against the balloon's escaping. Thus an- 
chored in hand, at a given signal each child releases his 



538 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

balloon to the end of the tether. Then the fun is on ! 
In any way you can you may try to bump some one's else 
balloon with your own; only you must take care that 
yours is not bumped first. It looks easy, but remember 
that the wind, your own running hither and thither and the 
length of the slender tether all play their part. And, 
what's more, the foe is meanwhile maneuvering to escape 
you. If A manages to bump B's balloon A scores highest 
and turns his balloon over to the loser, who now has two 
balloons to keep in the air and to prevent being attacked. 
Should some one else hit either of these then B has a 
third balloon to look after. And so it goes till some one 
has all the balloons tied to his fingers. 

False cries of danger, the laughter of those relieved 
of balloons, and the merry exercise in the open make the 
game a happy prelude to whatever else may follow. 

A Circus of Renown 

Everybody loves a circus despite the fact that it is con- 
sidered an entertainment for children. So when the small 
member of the family receives a riming invitation, it will 
be difficult to keep grandpa, grandma, auntie, uncle, father, 
mother, big brother and big sister from accompanying the 
only invited guest. It would be a good plan to adopt the 
idea for the whole family for Thanksgiving night. 



STOP! LOOK! LISTEN! 
A Winter Circus of renown 
Has just come up to Nursery Town. 
So come and see the Jolly Show; 
It's camping at my home, you know. 

Doors open 3 p. m. Signed 



CHILDREN'S PARTIES 539 

On the eventful day the fun will begin when a clown 
opens the door in answer to the summons of the young- 
sters and, with many gestures and antics, directs them to 
the dressing rooms. 

The nursery should present the appearance of the inside 
of a tent. This can be accomplished by using alternate 
strips of red and of white crepe paper to form a tent top, 
stretching the strips, from the height of the windows, 
about the room to the center of the ceiling. The wall 
should give the illusion of a menagerie, pictures of wild 
animals being stenciled on large pieces of white paper and 
suspended at a uniform height. Bars should be drawn in 
front of the animals to suggest cages. 

A mystery feature should be arranged. A box high 
enough to necessitate mounting a stool to investigate its 
contents should be labeled : " The White Monkey of 
North America." 

Each child must make a promise not to tell what he sees 
before taking a peep. As he will be confronted with his 
own image reflected in a looking glass placed in the bottom 
of the box, there will be no end of fun in mystifying the 
newcomers about the strange animal. 

Chairs should be arranged in a semi-circle, facing a 
curtain back of which the performance is to take place. 
While the audience is assembling, someone dressed as a 
" vender " should cry out : " Here you are ; lollypops, 
three laughs each ! " The children will respond with re- 
peated " ha-ha's " for the sheer joy of laughing. 

When everyone has arrived the clown who opened the 
door may act as master of ceremonies and, with jokes, an- 
nounce the " acts " to be performed, introducing the " ar- 
tists." What will be the delight of the children when the 
curtain is finally parted to find a group of dolls who actu- 
ally go through a little play ! 



540 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

This is not so difficult to manage as it would seem, as 
" Puppet Plays " are quite the vogue and may be pur- 
chased with full directions for conducting the perform- 
ance. 

Between the acts the smallest children will be delighted 
to ride the elephant, which is conducted around the ring- 
by the clown. The elephant's anatomy consists of two 
boys, one behind the other, who bend over so that their 
backs are in a horizontal position. The second boy rests 
his hands on the back of the first who, as the " head end," 
flourishes one of his hands as a trunk. The boys are con- 
cealed under a sheet or a large square of gray muslin. 

When the play is over the children will be ready for 
games, so chairs must be moved aside for clear floor space. 

" Puss in the Corner," " Cat and Mouse," " Birds, Beasts 
and Fishes," "Fox and Geese," a hunt for animal crack- 
ers and a " Balloon Game " are all in keeping with the 
occasion. 

Balloon Game. — Children are divided into two equal 
groups separated by a line stretched across the room at a 
height of three or four feet. The umpire tosses a gas bal- 
loon above the cord. Each group tries to keep it on the 
other side; the side succeeding in getting it over scores 
ten. The game continues until one side or the other has 
made fifty points. 

Between games contests should be held. One which 
will afiford merriment is called " Feeding the Elephant 
with Peanuts." Each child in turn is blindfolded and 
tries to see which comes the nearest to putting a peanut in 
the mouth of a large cardboard elephant. 

" Making the Lions Roar " is another interesting con- 
test. Five toy lions are placed on a board, and each child 
is allowed five throws with a bean bag with which to knock 
them off. 



CHILDREN'S PARTIES 541 

The game, however, which will probably create the 
most laughter is " Making the Clown's Face." For this a 
clown should be drawn on a sheet, a hole being cut where 
the face should be. One after another the children place 
their heads in the opening and " make a face." This will 
make the children shout with glee. Clown's caps are then 
distributed to all. A bag is then passed filled with toy- 
animals, for which the children grab; those drawing ani- 
mals that are alike are partners for the grand march, and 
in this way the " animals walk in two by two " into the 
dining room. 

The table should be a real circus in miniature. If pos- 
sible the table should be low so that the smallest child can 
see everything. Three rings should be made of sawdust, 
surrounded with green crepe-paper grass. In the central 
ring a little white pony carries a lady rider in dainty short 
fluffy dress, exactly like a bareback circus rider. A ring- 
master must be perfect in red coat, white satin trousers 
and black boots. He carries a long silken whip. In the 
other rings are clowns and animals — bears, elephants, 
monkeys, tigers and seemingly every animal — all attrac- 
tively arranged as if they were really " showing off " for 
a great audience. 

An airship should be suspended above the table, with the 
pilot " just ready to perform his numerous stunts," while 
over the end " float " several dozen balloons of every 
shape and color. 

All around the edge of the table may be favors, which 
include toy animals about two inches high, some of cellu- 
loid while others are " dressed up " awaiting their turns 
to perform in the circus. This is a regular menagerie, 
everything from the domestic cat, dog and horse to the 
monkey, elephant and " roaring lions." 

Paper napkins and plates should be chosen to carry out 



542 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

the idea, or plain ones may be stenciled in animal designs 
at home. The refreshments should consist of chicken 
sandwiches, ice-cream cones, soft gingerbread horses, ani- 
mal cookies, pop-corn balls and cocoa. One would like 
to add " circus lemonade," but mothers would forbid. 

The crowning souvenirs are the balloons to be dis- 
tributed at the end of the repast. They may either be 
gas balloons or those inflated with the breath in funny 
animal shapes, emitting most delightful squeaks when the 
air escapes. 



CHAPTER XXIV 

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SHOWERS 

Engagement Announcements 

The manner of announcing her engagement is often a 
perplexing proposition to a girl. To the one who 
is undemonstrative, the simple card announcement will 
commend itself, and there is so much that is really beau- 
tiful in the way of stationery now, it will not be difficult to 
choose something suitable. The initials of the interested 
parties, combined in the form of a monogram engraved on 
a card, with the simple announcement, is in good taste, or 
something in this form would be novel : 

We, the undersigned, for the promotion of happiness and of 
mutual benefit, have entered into a life partnership, and shall 

be pleased to receive our friends, on the evening of 

(Signed) John and Priscilla, 

One clever girl who wished to announce her engage- 
ment gave a " Stunt Party," inviting about fifteen of 
her closest friends and requesting that each one come pre- 
pared to do some " stunt." In the meantime her younger 
sister, who was something of an elocutionist, got up a 
little monologue, cleverly introducing the news of the en- 
gagement. At the end of the program, when the guests 
had finished their parts, she appeared in the role of an old 
colored mammy, gave her monologue in charming fashion 
and received a storm of applause from the surprised and 
delighted audience. 

A " Puzzle Announcement." At the close of a girl's 
luncheon, a card and a pencil were handed to each of those 
543 



544 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

present, with instructions to solve the jumbled sentence 
written across the top of the former. It ran as follows: 

GINCNANNOU HET NAMEGEGENT FO REIJAMOR 
DAN KARFN. 

The first to decipher the correct meaning, " Announcing 
the engagement o^ Marjorie and Frank," received as a re- 
ward a leather-bound engagement book. 

An Interesting Case 

A unique way of announcing an engagement is to 
bring in a ribbon-decked " grip " filled with souvenirs in 
the form of miniature suitcases having tags on which is 
written : " A case worth looking into." Within are the 
cards of the affianced pair. 

A place-card which also bears the announcement is 
made by simply pasting two small cupids to a white and a 
pink heart tied together with white or pink ribbon. The 
top heart bears the guest's name, while the lower one, 
which is white, discloses the secret by having the name of 
the prospective bride and bridegroom written thereon. 

After an afternoon of fancywork and music and tea, to 
each guest is presented a long-stemmed flower having a 
small, irregularly shaped piece of pink cardboard attached 
to the stem. 

These pieces of cardboard, when properly arranged and 
fitted together, would " form an article of wearing ap- 
parel," the hostess says. The guests are eager to solve 
the puzzle, of course, of the nature of which they have no 
suspicion, but it will be some time before they succeed in 
fitting together the small irregular pieces. 

The completed article will be found to be a bridal slip- 
per on which is written the announcement of the engage- 



ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SHOWERS 545 

ment of one of the girls, coming as a complete surprise 
to the assembled friends of the bride-to-be. 

Another suggestion is to have on the tea table a basket 
of bride's roses. Attach to each rose the name of a guest 
and a small favor significant of her characteristic. Be- 
ginning at the right, the girls dravi^ in order, the bride-to- 
be drawing last, to her ribbon being attached the ring. 

Another vi'ay, very simple and dainty, to make the an- 
nouncement is to twine pink roses and a few sprays of 
fern into a corsage bouquet, and tie it with narrow, pink 
satin ribbon. To the ends of the long looped bow attach 
white hearts on which are written the names of the pros- 
pective bride and bridegroom. 

How Three Girls Announced It 

Ruth's came first and she invited a number of her dear- 
est friends to a luncheon. On each place-card was tied a 
small clamshell. The edges of the shells were fastened 
together with tiny gold heart stickers. Feminine curios- 
ity, of course, demanded that these be instantly removed 
and, when the clamshells were opened, there was found 
inside a tiny card on which was written the announcement 
of Ruth's engagement, the idea being conveyed that the in- 
terested parties were " as happy as clams." 

When, a short time later, Judith issued invitations for 
a luncheon in Ruth's honor, no one's suspicions were 
aroused, though it was a well-understood fact that Judith 
was engaged, or at least a party to a very interesting " un- 
derstanding." On the guests being seated at the table, 
they found at each plate a place-card with a ring of the 
kind found in prize-candy packages tied to it. A massive 
wedding ring was fastened to the card bearing Ruth's 
name. . These ornate bits of jewelry were tried on and 



546 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

passed about for inspection amid much merriment, when it 
was suddenly discovered that Judith's ring was no joke, 
but " an honest-to-goodness " solitaire. Then the laugh- 
ter and joking turned to loving congratulations and good 
wishes. 

It was only natural that Aline should entertain for her 
two happy friends, and the girls went to her old-fashioned 
sewing bee with no expectation of there being a surprise 
in store. The afternoon passed happily but unevent- 
fully until, as the last course of the dainty refreshments 
was being served, the hostess' little sister passed a basket 
of daisies. These were made of heavy white paper, cut 
in the shape of large daisies. On the yellow center of 
each was written " This daisy will tell," and it was found 
that the center was lightly stuck to the flower and, when 
pulled, came off easily. Underneath was written the really 
surprising news of Aline's engagement. 

Apparently no one could think of any more original 
ideas of announcing the happy event, for that ended the 
engagements for that summer. 

A Thimble Party Announcement 

A most unusual form of announcement was that planned 
by a girl who invited one of her friends to a " Thimble 
Party." Between the third and last courses of the lunch- 
eon a soft chord was struck on the piano, followed by the 
" bugle call." As the echo died away the call was an- 
swered by the clear, silvery notes of a real bugle, and soon 
within the arched doorway stood a tiny maid dressed as a 
herald of the time of " Good Queen Bess." Raising her 
silver trumpet in true herald fashion, she blew a long 
blast. Over her shoulder was strung a big pink bag, from 
which she took a tiny scroll for each guest. The scrolls 



ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SHOWERS 



547 



were ribbon-bound and heart-sealed. Upon being opened 
they were found to contain the following proclamation, 
which made plain the occasion : 

Proclamation 

Know ye All, Whereas John, son of James, of the house of 
Barnes, and Mary, daughter of Henry, of the house of Gale, 
Having reached years of discretion and understanding, seek 
admission into the state of Matrimony. 

I, Daniel Cupid, Governor of said State, hereby proclaim 
them candidates for such admission on or after May first, 
[Date]. 

Written under my hand and seal on this twenty-fifth day of 
March, [Date]. 

[seal] (Signed) Daniel Cupid. 

The seal was a huge red affair, bearing a small golden 
heart and the words " State of Matrimony " around the 
edge. 

Two Hosiery Showers 

After sending out invitations for an informal afternoon 
it was whispered about that a Hosiery Shower was 
planned, but was to remain a secret from the guest of 
honor. A huge chrysanthemum was made of pink tissue 
paper with green leaves, curling the long strips of paper 
toward the center, where an opening was left. A box 
large enough to hold the stockings was selected, a circular 
opening cut in the lid and covered with the paper chrysan- 
themum to which the first stocking was attached. At a 
glance it looked like a green box with a flower lid. 

After the guests had arrived the hostess took their gifts 
and pinned the toe of each stocking to the top of its mate, 
together with the card of its donor, then pinned each pair 



548 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

together in the same manner so as to make a continuous 
line of hosiery. 

In the meantime the guests were entertained with a 
number of floral contests, the prizes for which were small 
potted plants in bloom. 

After the luncheon the box of hosiery was brought out 
and placed on the table and the guest of honor was told 
that she might Hft the flower and see what she might find 
for her own. Her surprise speedily changed to delight 
as she drew forth those seemingly endless yards of rain- 
bow-hued stockings. 

Developing the second suggestion, the bride-to-be is 
handed a book, with some remarks upon being well read. 
The book is a linen-covered ledger about fourteen or six- 
teen inches in length and from five to six inches in width, 
daintily tied with white ribbon. On the cover is legibly 
printed " Silk Stocking Tales," by Many More Hoofers 
(a parody, you see, on " Leather Stocking Tales," by 
Fenimore Cooper). As a book plate a heart-shaped frame 
with a dove and a kewpie inside it is used. On the flyleaf 
is the title of the book again, published by So-and-So, one 
or two names of those giving the shower, date of publish- 
ing and city. 

Each pair of stockings sent should be folded once and 
sewed to a leaf, and on the opposite page is a verse appro- 
priate to the donor and the color of the stockings, such as: 

From your dear friend Grace another new shade 
Bess will have to keep pace with each new one made; 
Get slippers to match, and summer gowns, too; 
She'll have quite a batch by the time she gets through. 
These of bronze have made a hit; 
I only hope they all may fit. 



ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SHOWERS 549 
A Bedroom Shower 

The girls were invited to this several weeks ahead so 
they would have plenty of time for dainty stitches. It 
was explained that anything from a picture to a pair of 
dainty bedroom slippers was appropriate, and it was asked 
that only yellow or white be used, as that was the color 
combination of the bride-to-be's room. The gifts were 
tied with yellow ribbon and gilded wish bones. 

When it was showertime all the guests except the bride- 
to-be were taken into a room where they selected any one 
of the packages and then marched in single file into the 
living room and around the honored one, placing their 
packages at her feet, in her lap, or at her back as they 
passed, all the while singing " Love's Old Sweet Song." 

Refreshments were served at small tables which car- 
ried out the colors in the white linen cloths and small 
bouquets of goldenglow. Gold loaf cake, yellow and white 
brick ice cream and buttercup candies all added their share 
to the yellow idea, while lighted yellow candles in wee 
candlesticks were at each place and caused much merri- 
ment when it was announced that the girls would be mar- 
ried in the order their candles burned out. Tiny net sacks 
of rice were attached to the place-cards, which bore a sen- 
timental inscription. 

A Clover Shower 

A Clover Shower is another means of presenting the 
bride with her linen. The embroidered pieces should all 
be done in clover designs, and the decorations of the house 
and table be in clover blossoms and leaves, while the pieces 
of linen with which the bride-to-be is showered should be 
placed in a large box decorated with four-leaf clovers, 
gilt horse shoes, swastikas and other good-luck emblems. 



550 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

A WORKBASKET ShOWER 

The bride-to-be was invited to the home of one of her 
friends for luncheon, as it was her turn to entertain the 
club members who were to spend the afternoon sewing. 
Each girl was instructed just what to send before the day, 
and the following list was arranged: 

Scissors H dozen spools black thread 

Thimble Vz dozen spools white thread 

Emery and needlebook Tape measure 

Pins and pincushion Button box 

Darning ball and cotton 2 spools of white and black silk 

The hostess furnished the workbasket, which was lined 
in pink, with a huge pink bow at each end. The gifts 
were placed in the basket and it was used in the center of 
the table as a decoration. A ribbon was attached from the 
basket to the bride-to-be's place. Little pink crepe-paper 
sewing bags, drawn in at the top with ribbon, were banked 
up all over the basket, which formed a pyramid of pink, 
scattered in and out with carnations and fern which made 
a very attractive centerpiece and completely hid the bas- 
ket. From each bag was a ribbon to each place as a favor 
and at the end of the luncheon each girl pulled her string, 
receiving a bag and the bride-to-be her basket. 

A Basket Shower 

A Basket Shower is another charming means of bestow- 
ing on the guest of honor some useful presents. 

First come two of the guests with a large clothesbas- 
ket covered with spring blossoms. On investigation it 
will be found to be nearly full of small kitchen utensils, 
bought at the fi.ve-and-ten-cent stores. Then come other 



ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SHOWERS 551 

friends with a market basket filled with all sorts of queer 
packages : a workbasket, all fitted out ready for " the 
stitch in time," a wastebasket with flaring top filled with 
pink and white roses, a hanging basket containing an 
asparagus fern, a flower basket, a stocking basket, and one 
or two fancy little baskets which contain handkerchiefs 
and towels. Last of all, all the guests simultaneously 
shower the delighted little bride-elect with little crepe- 
paper baskets filled with blossoms. 

A " Surprise " Shower for a Young Bride 

To entertain a bride a pretty idea was carried out once 
by the friends of the young couple. The affair was of the 
nature of a " Surprise Shower." Each guest provided as 
a little gift a certain article for the workbag, such as 
tape, cotton, scissors, etc. A charming flowered cotton 
cretonne bag was fitted up with all the gifts. To the bag 
was attached a card with the following lines : 

Here's to Bride ! In your life may there lurk 

Just as much pleasure as this holds of work. 
Bright as a pin be your future, my dear; 
Small as its point may your sorrows appear. 
May your horizon with rose tints be lit ; 
Some clouds are crow shade, may yours be " nit." 
Here are some hints which I'd just like to name: 
Darning hub's socks saves his darning the same. 
This is no yarn which I'm trying to spin. 
'Twixt you and hubby have none button in. 
Love's like a needle — true steel and bright-shined ; 
Needles have one eye and love is quite blind. 
Here, then, is luck! May your joy ever grow! 
Don't have things sew-sew, but all things just sew. 
Gracious ! Od's bodikins ! Shiver my pins ! 
When a girl's married her life just begins! 



552 . THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Each woman brought refreshments for two in a little 
cotton workbag tied with tape. The table was arranged 
by the " maid of honor " for the feast. In the center she 
outlined a heart with spools of sewing cotton. Streamers 
of tape ran from the chandelier to each place, each 
streamer threaded to a bodkin place-card, and bands of 
tape, stretched across the table, were decorated with 
needles and pins stuck through at various intervals with 
fancy buttons. 

A Kitchen Shower 

As an innovation the guests were invited to come in the 
morning at eleven o'clock and have an old-fashioned 
" spend the day with your sewing." Each one was ad- 
vised just what kitchen utensil they were to send the day 
previous as a shower for the bride-to-be who was a mem- 
ber of the club. 

The table was spread in the kitchen, which was large 
and sunny. The cloth was of paper, with paper napkins, 
wooden plates of various sizes and for a centerpiece a tin 
collander turned upside down and each little hole filled 
with fresh parsley and yellow tulips. About the base was 
banked fruit and smilax. 

At the bride-to-be's plate was a dishpan filled with the 
different articles from each girl, and covered with yellow 
crepe paper, and as her place-card a good cook book in 
which was written on the blank pages at the back a " fa- 
vorite " recipe from each one present. 

At one o'clock the hostess asked the guest of honor if 
she would assist her in serving, and she, of course, ac- 
quiesced, the others following her to the kitchen. A 
" Help Wanted " sign was on the kitchen door. The 
other place-cards were tiny kitchen utensils tied with yel- 
low ribbon with name and date. 



ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SHOWERS 553 

A Pickle Party 

The very newest kind of a party was given the other day 
for a young bride-to-be. It was a " pickle shower." As 
the affair was to be quite informal, the hostess invited her 
guests by telephone, requesting each one to bring a jar, 
large or small, of pickles, sour or sweet. They planned 
to keep the pantry shelf in the " New House " filled with 
appetizing pickles for many moons to come. 

The " shower " was a wonderful success, too, for the 
bride-to-be had been given much in the way of linen, china 
and elaborate gifts. Each guest made a presentation 
speech as she handed out her jar of pickles, from a large 
wicker basket tied with green ribbons, which had been 
brought in by the hostess and conveniently placed. The 
speeches caused a good deal of merriment, as most of the 
guests were not exceptionally talented. Some of them 
were " Sour and sweet, sweet and sour, with you this 
pickle jar I dower;" "To liken life to a jar of mixed 
pickles, may the sweet ones always fall to your portion," 
etc. And the bride-to-be enjoyed it most of all. 

As an outcome of this particular party it might be men- 
tioned that a " Glass-of-Jelly Shower " was also given. 
She who is to be a bride in December will have a pantry 
shelf well stocked indeed, with pickles and homemade 
jellies enough to last until preserving time next summer. 

Brush Shower 

A Brush Shower is a change from the usual linen and 
kitchen variety and provides amusement for the guests as 
well. Request each one to bring a gift of a brush. Each 
guest suits her fancy in regard to the kind of brush given, 
but, by advance arrangement, duplications are avoided. 



554 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Arrange a trail as for a Fox-and-Hound Hunt. Of 
course all will be in the secret of the affair except the 
bride-to-be, hence it will not be surprising if the other 
guests are shortsighted and the bride-elect wins the chase. 
The fox she finds should be a toy one, surrounded by the 
various brushes which have been brought by the guests. 

A doll dressed as a housewife would make an appropri- 
ate centerpiece for the table, and place-cards might con- 
sist of little five-cent scrubbing brushes, with the name 
written on each. 

Blue-and- White Showers 

A bride who is planning to keep house will enjoy a 
Blue-and- White Shower, which is conducted as follows: 
Each guest is requested to bring a gift of blue-and-white 
enameled kitchenware, and these should be wrapped in 
white tissue paper tied with blue ribbon. These useful 
articles are deposited in a large clothesbasket, decorated 
for the occasion with blue-and-white bows. The blue and 
white colors should predominate at the luncheon table. 

Refreshments might be served on blue enamelware and 
might consist of grapefruit, breaded veal, potato cro- 
quettes, stuffed tomatoes, apple-and-nut salad, ice cream 
with hot chocolate sauce, cake, coffee, bonbons and salted 
nuts. After the luncheon the bride should be bHndfolded 
and taken to the basket containing her gifts. She is al- 
lowed to handle each article, and must then write a list 
of what she supposes the various articles to be, after which 
she is permitted to unwrap her gifts. 

Another Kitchen Shower 

The bride-elect stands at the head of the table, sur- 
rounded by the guests, who form a circle around the table. 



ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SHOWERS 555 

First the joint gift of the party of friends is presented, 
followed by the little individual gifts of close personal 
friends, and lastly the useful gifts of the " shower." Each 
gift is tied with a white satin ribbon bow, and as they are 
presented one by one to the bride-to-be a verse is read 
from a card attached to the gift. 

The Joint Gift — Salad Fork and Spoon — 
We bring this shining fork and spoon, 
And may your future be as bright; 
We trust you'll learn to use it soon, 
To help to make the salad right. 

Silver Bread Tray — 

Please accept this little token 
Of love and friendship yet unspoken. 
To scare the " wily wolf " away, 
Just keep well filled this little tray. 

Pincushion — 

This dainty cushion, I venture to say, 
Will keep your trials and sorrows away, 
'Twill hold all the bad little needles and pins. 
So when you are married no trouble begins. 

Scrubbing Brush — 

Please accept this little brush, 

To scrub and scour — and please don't rush. 

Rolling Pin — 

And now this handy rolling pin, 
For you domestic battles will win. 

OR 



I really am a pin, although 

You cannot see the point, I know. 

Upon your hat or 'neath your chin 



556 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

I surely would provoke a grin ; 
So, pray, please do not wear me so, 
But use me freely on your dough. 

Egg Beater — 

A cake you'll make with this egg beater; 
I hope I won't be there to eat'er. 



Here's to the cake 
The bride will bake; 

Oh, may I help to beat it! 
May Fate be kind, 
And Love stay blind. 

So hubby, dear, can eat it. 



Always beat the eggs up light. 
Then your cake will be "just right." 

Flour Sifter — 

This flour sifter will help to make 
Bread and biscuit, pies and cake. 

Tea Can — 

When entertaining at " five o'clock tea," 
You'll find this tea can a blessing will be. 

Coffee Can — 

If a delicious breakfast you would plan, 
Just keep well filled this coffee can. 

Corkscrew^ — 

In a minute or two, this little corkscrew 
Will open many a bottle for you. 



ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SHOWERS 



557 



Tea Towels — 

These tea towels we give to wipe your dishes. 
Kindly accept with our very best wishes. 

Sink Strainer — 

This sink strainer is a clever device. 

It's made to keep your drain clean and nice. 

Sugar Can — 

This sugar can, as you know well, 
Will furnish fudge and caramel. 

Tea Strainer — 

If the leaves in your tea should happen to tease you, 
This little tea strainer is certain to please you. 

Ice Pick — 

A friend in need is this little ice pick ; 
'Twill be such a comfort if you ever get sick. 

Bread Toaster — 

And now three cheers for the hostess and host; 
This little bread toaster will give us the toast. 



I am on the side 

Of the charming bride. 

And I'm not an idle boaster; 
Through all my days 
I will give her praise, 

Oh, I'll always be her toaster ! 

Potato Masher — 

This will make your potatoes 
So flufify and light. 
That husband will praise them 
With language polite. 



558 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Duster — 

Use this every single day; 
Keep your home in neat array ! 

Saucepan — 

Use with care, and you must learn 
Not to let your cooking burn. 

OR 

Although my name sounds "saucy," 

I'm really not to blame; 
Oh, kindly let me show you 

There's nothing in a name! 

Frying- Pan — 

Use this for breakfast, 

The giver now begs. 
To cook fried potatoes 

Or bacon and eggs. 

Pie Tins — 

These will surely help to bake 
Pies like mother used to make. 

DUSTCAP — 

Here's a dainty dustcap ; 

And your locks 'twill keep 
Very trim and tidy. 

When your rooms you sweep. 

Bag for Celery — 

Here's a bag for celery, 

Keeps it very nice, 
When it's in the pantry 

Or upon the ice! 



ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SHOWERS 559 

Roasting Pan — 

This present will help you, 

It is my belief, 
When you have for dinner 

A nice roast of beef. 

Measuring Spoons — 

If with these you always measure, 
Cooking will become a pleasure. 

Cake Turner — 

When the cakes are nicely browned, 

Quickly turn them over. 
Serve them hot with honey sweet, 

Made by bees in clover. 

Scales — 

This scales will weigh most anything, 

But one thing it can't do ; 
It is not strong enough to weigh 

The love I bear to you. 

Griddle — 

To some life is a puzzle; 

To others 'tis a riddle; 
To all 'tis joy without alloy. 

With cakes hot from the griddle. 

Cooking Spoon — 

May your life be one long honeymoon 

Is the wish of yours truly, A. Spoon. 

Casserole — 

Old King Cole 
Was a merry old soul, 
But he'd have been merrier yet, I wot. 



S6o THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

If instead of a bowl 
He'd a casserole 
Brought in with its contents steaming hot. 

Mixing Bowl — 

Each time you use this mixing bowl, 
Whate'er its contents be, 
I fondly hope that you'll mix in 
A kindly thought of me. 

Spice Box — 

I'm just a box to hold your spice, 
But let me give you this advice ; 
You'll lessen matrimonial shocks 
By freely using Life's Spice Box. 

Teakettle — 

Within your kitchen neat and white, 
Pray grant to me the longed-for right, 
To stay with you through all my days 
And sing to you my merry lays. 

Spider — 

m 
There are pans that are deeper and pans that are wider, 
But there's none that is handier than a good spider. 



DiSHPAN 



Sieve • 



Though 'twould be grand to throw away 
One's dirty dishes every day, 
You'd stand aghast at such a plan — 
So let me give you this dishpan. 



If all these holes were in a stocking, 
It really would be very shocking; 
But, since they're fastened in a sieve, 
I hope they no offense will give. 



ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SHOWERS 561 

Kitchen Clock — 

Oh, may it be my task always 

To tick for you through happy days ! 

Grater — 

Whene'er I think of heroes old, 
And of those who came later, 
I feel quite proud when I am told 
That I am still a grater. 

Percolator — 

If your husband finds fault with his coffee 

(Oh, how queer just the thought of it sounds!) 
I most humbly trust that he'll see 'tis unjust. 
Since there never will be any " grounds." 

Food Chopper — 

Just feed me with scraps. 
And you'll learn, perhaps, 
To make good hash 
And thus save cash. 

Cake Pan — 

Oh, may the cakes baked in this pan 
Be pleasing to " the only man ! " 

Lemon Squeezer — 

If life ever hands you a lemon, 
I pray you be not dismayed ; 
Just mix it with plenty of sweetness 
And turn it to lemonade. 

Soap Dish — 

Here's a dish to hold your soap, 
And with it I send the hope, 



562 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

That when life sorts out her troubles 
She will give you just bright bubbles. 

Measuring Cup — 

I'll measure your sugar and flour, 

For pudding or for cake, 
And add a big measure of luck, too, 

For dear old friendship's sake. 



A Towel Shower 

As every housewife prides herelf on her linen closet, a 
" Towel Shower " will bring a welcome addition to her 
store. 

The following table decoration is novel and appropriate : 
Cover the table with green grasscloth or green crepe 
paper. At each corner place a tall white chrysanthemum, 
rose or other flower, to represent a tree. Stretch a light 
cord from one " tree " to another, and hang in front of 
each guest's plate a tiny tissue-paper towel, fringed and 
marked with a monogram. In the center of the table 
place a toy wash basket filled with flowers, while for fa- 
vors miniature wash baskets are appropriate. 

Serve the ice cream in toy buckets, while scalloped 
oysters may be baked in dolls' wash boilers. After lunch- 
eon the bride-elect may be escorted to an adjoining room, 
where her gifts are suspended from a clothesline. 

A Handy Shower 

For the " Handy Shower " a miscellaneous variety of 
gifts may be brought including closet hooks, picture hang- 
ers., iron holders, dusters — in fact, anything " handy " 
about the home. 

Decorate the room with hands cut from cardboard, and 



ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SHOWERS 563 

pin them to the wall, arranging them so that each hand 
points toward a concealed gift. The bride-elect is directed 
to " follow the guidance of the mysterious hands," and 
she will find her " treasures." 

Place-cards may be cut in the form of hands, the card 
for the guest of honor being decorated with a ring painted 
in gilt paint, with a glass " diamond " glued firmly in 
place. 

Palmistry will appropriately entertain the guests at a 
shower of this kind. 



A Bottle Shower 

The invitations for the " Bottle Shower " may be writ- 
ten on slips of paper and placed in small bottles, the fol- 
lowing rime being appropriate as an invitation : 

A shower's really very pleasant 
When every raindrop is a present; 
So don't forget the day and hour, 
But join us in a " Bottle Shower." 

In the doorway of the parlor should hang a cluster of 
white-paper bells with narrow satin ribbon attached, and 
the bride-elect should be directed to follow each ribbon to 
its end, her search being rewarded by quaint dolls, which 
prove to be bottles containing something for her house- 
keeping. 

A bottle of olive oil may be dressed as a slender lady doll 
in a muslin gown. A bottle of preserves may masquerade 
as a Mammy, in red dress, white apron and gay turban. 
Another bottle may be dressed as a baby in long white 
dress and white cap, while to create amusement bottles 
may be dressed to represent a bride and her bridesmaids. 

The bottle idea may be carried out in the table decora- 



564 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

tions, suspending tiny glass vials from the chandelier by 
white baby ribbon and placing in each vial a few sweet 
peas or lilies of the valley. 

For favors small bottles of toilet water may be dressed 
to represent dolls, while the bottle at the place of the guest 
of honor should be larger than the others and should be 
dressed to represent a bride. 

A Garden Shower 

Several girls were discussing what kind of shower they 
should give one of their set, soon to be married. "A 
handkerchief shower suggests tears and bad colds; a 
kitchen shower is too practical, and a lingerie shower is 
useless when her family have been embroidering for her 
all summer," protested the maid of honor. " Besides, Lois 
is such an outdoors girl we ought to have something char- 
acteristic of her ! " 

It took a morning's discussion to perfect their plans for 
a " Garden Shower." It was held on the lawn at the home 
of one of the bridesmaids on a perfect afternoon in late 
October. Light refreshments were served informally, 
then two little girls brought a flower-decked garden basket 
and placed it in front of the bride. A bulky package la- 
beled, " If I had but two loaves of Bread in the world I 
would sell one of them and buy narcissuses to feed my 
soul," suggested that its contents were Narcissus poeticus 
bulbs. Reliable nurserymen sell these at a dollar a hun- 
dred. Another basket labeled " Daffodils, which come be- 
fore the swallow dares," gave a springtime promise of 
golden beauty. " Sweet peace and happy mirth " labeled 
six-ounce packages of sweet-pea seed. Everything was 
chosen with regard to autumn planting. A number of 
slips in separate ribbon-tied envelopes bore such beauti- 
ful inscriptions, fragrant with pleasures to come, as: 



ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SHOWERS 565 

On Telephonic Request Florist Will Deliver Two White 
Lilacs. 

Florist Will Send to Bearer One Bride Rose, Six Brides- 
maid Roses, and His Regret That There is as Yet No " Usher " 
Rose. 

Those who had gardens at home gave rooted plants : 

This Tag Entitles You to a Yellow Banksia From the Arbor 
Where We Played Dolls. 

At a Smile From the Bride, Father Will Send His Gardener 
to Set Out a Privet Hedge Around Her Service Yard. 

The young wife's yard later rivaled its older neighbors, 
and the " Memory Garden " will always add to the pleas- 
ures of the " Garden Shower." 

The following game is appropriate for entertainment 
at such a shower : 

Grandmother's Garden 

In Grandmother's garden strange plants you will see. 
And if you guess rightly, you'll find twenty-three. 
They are all out of order for climate and time, 
And arranged in this manner to give the words rime. 

Just inside the gateway some clergymen stand, (i) 
With a bugler who plays in the Heavenly Band. (2) 
The name of a boy and an old-fashioned pen, (3) 
You will find with the cares of all single men. (4) 

In grandmother's garden we likewise behold 
Some plants that remind us of sheep in the fold; (s) 
And near them all standing, too stately to bend. 
That which the soldier has died to defend. (6) 

A state in the South and a one-year-old child (7) 
Form a beautiful background in this garden wild. 
Here, too, with its head held haughty and high. 
The dread of the jungle is lurking near by. (8) 



566 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Yet farther, a fairy wand all made of gold, (9) 
And the pride of the mermaid as fabled of old, (10) 
A little white sin, and a spinster's pet charm, (11) 
In yon shady thicket is sheltered from harm. 

A time of the day (12) and a little frog's walk, (13) 
And a part of the face we use when we talk, (14) 
The child of a suffragette known in our land. 
With one letter changed to good spelling command. (15) 

A pet name for father (16) a remembrance so sweet, (17) 
Are all to be found in this quiet retreat. 
But ah! here's a beauty so perfect to see — 
The serf of a Mexican followed by " E." (18) 

The hope of our Pilgrims (19), an attempt made to bite. 
And a hideous monster once slain by a knight, (20) 
A mode of conveyance, a word meaning tribe, (21) 
Now attracts our attention, and is grandma's pride. 

A shot from a cannon, and part of the foot, (22) 
While along the rough pathway dear grandma has put 
A pleasant expression, and one sharp-edged tool. (23) 
Now please try to guess them, and stick to the rule. 



1 Jack-in-the-Pulpit 

2 Gabriel's Trumpet 

3 Jonquil 

4 Bachelor's Button 

5 Phlox 

6 Flags 

7 Virginia Creeper 

8 Tiger Lily 



9 Golden Rod 

10 Maidenhair 

11 Lilac 

12 Four o'clock 

13 Hops 

14 Tulips 

15 Salvia 

16 Poppy 



17 Forget-me-not 

18 Peony 

19 Mayflower 

20 Snapdragon 

21 Carnation 

22 Mistletoe 

23 Smilax 



A Shower for Mother 



Why not? To be sure, it was more than twenty years 
since mother was a bride, but her two daughters — six- 
teen and eighteen — had recently attended a shower for 



ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SHOWERS 567 

a girl friend, and they thought it a splendid idea for an 
anniversary surprise. 

They decided, for several reasons, to have a kitchen 
shower; the equipment of mother's kitchen was decidedly 
old-fashioned and inadequate when compared to the outfit 
of the modern bride ; the gifts could be very inexpensive ; 
and, lastly, the entertainment could be funnier. 

The girls took the younger children into their con- 
fidence, secured a contribution from father, and then went 
to a large department store and selected their utensils, 
choosing several that were unusual and unfamiliar to the 
average housewife. The neighbors were invited, but cau- 
tioned not to spend more than ten cents for a gift. They 
were also told to write a rime to accompany the article of 
their choice. The men were especially invited and the 
evening was chosen for their convenience. 

For entertainment a guessing contest was provided. 
Twenty of the oddest utensils were selected, numbered 
and placed on a table. The men were given cards and 
pencils and each was told to write the name of the article 
corresponding to the number on the card. The table was 
then displayed and ten minutes allowed for the contest. 

When the time was up the company was called to order. 
One of the girls acted as demonstrator and held up article 
No. I, while her sister, who had collected the cards, read 
aloud the various guesses and marked the mistakes in the 
answers. The demonstrator then illustrated how the tool 
was used and gave its name, if no one had guessed it cor- 
rectly. A vacuum cream skimmer, unfamiliar to all, 
caused great merriment, and a kettle scraper was thought 
by many to be a cooky cutter. The man who guessed the 
largest number correctly was allowed his choice among all 
the utensils as a prize. The other gifts were then un- 
wrapped and the nonsense verses read aloud. 



568 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

The evening ended with refreshments, but the effect of 
the " shower " extended far beyond it. Almost every 
woman present added to her kitchen equipment some tool 
that she had long needed, or some device of which she had 
just learned. The husbands began to bring home a new 
tool for the house as well as the garden, and the household 
tasks were made simpler as well as more interesting for 
the whole family. 

A Rose Announcement Luncheon 

If a girl wishes to announce her engagement quietly in 
early summer, to a few friends, one of the prettiest ways 
is to give a Rose Luncheon on the lawn, serving the lunch- 
eon in individual baskets. The dainty sandwiches, pret- 
tily iced cake, appetizing olives and nuts look most invit- 
ing in artistic brown baskets, to the handle of each of 
which a wild rose is attached. The rose is more lasting 
if daintily made of paper, while the center basket may be 
filled with either fresh wild roses or garden roses. Served 
with fruit punch these individual luncheons are very pleas- 
ing and satisfactory. 

The announcement comes at the end of the little feast, 
when a tray of beautiful roses is brought before the guests. 
For each there is a fragrant rose to whose long stem is 
tied with a lovers' knot a tiny envelope, containing the 
cards of the affianced pair, inscribed with the words, " Sub 
Rosa," meaning " in strict confidence," since Cupid is said 
to have bribed Harpocrates, the god of silence, with a rose. 

At the close of the luncheon a suitable game will be the 
Rose Puzzle. 

There's a rose that is named for an Irish lake, (i) 
And one that the spinsters are wont to take ; (2) 
A rose that in vegetable garden is found, (3) 



ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SHOWERS 569 

And one that is fondest of traveling around. (4) 

A rose is a fabric of silkiest sheen, (5) 

And one on the banks of the streamlet is seen ; (6) 

Boy's nickname, girl's nickname plus vowel will spell 

The name of a rose everybody loves well. (7) 

While one is a maid who is sure to entrance, (8) 

Another's a family royal of France. (9) 

A country of Europe, now guess if you can, (10) 

And of that same nation a militant man. (11) 

A rose that's a thorn, (12) and a rose that's a tree, (13) 

And one that's not tame, as we plainly can see. (14) 

A color, plus vowel, is one that is fair, 

And blossoms profusely in soft summer air. (15) 

A long narrow pipe, well, it bears a rose name, 

But yet it is not just exactly the same. (16) 

Now if you will try you will soon guess, I ween, 

The names one and all of these roses sixteen. 

Key: (i) Killarney; (2) Tea; (3) Cabbage; (4) Rambler; 
(5) Damask; (6) Moss; (7) Jacqueminot; (8) American 
Beauty; (9) Bourbon; (10) La France; (11) Marechal Niel; 
(12) Brier; (13) Evergreen; (14) Wild; (15) Safrano; (16) 
Tuberose. 

" Blue Monday " Shower 

The invitations to these luncheons should be written on 
pieces of starched linen, with blue ink to represent bluing. 
The following rime may be used : 

Wash day will be sure to come 

Promptly after Sunday; 
To a luncheon will you come 

Though it's on " Blue Monday ? " 

The idea is very adaptable, and, besides being sufficiently 
novel to have no other excuse for its serving, it lends it- 
self well to the giving of a shower ; and to the invitations 
might be added : " Laundry Shower for Miss ." 



570 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

The center of the table represents a drying yard in 
which a pretty Httle maid in a Normandy cap and an apron 
of sprigged lawn is hanging out clothes. In the middle 
of the yard, which is covered with moss, stands a clothes- 
basket heaped with Lilliputian garments. This may be 
utilized as a " Jack Horner " if desired. 

At the diagonally opposite corners of the table are two 
small tin washboilers and two toy pumps filled with blue 
flowers. At the left of each plate is a miniature clothes- 
basket filled with starch (marshmallows) or with white 
mints, and on the right are a glass and a half-pint bottle 
(labeled "Bluing") of grape juice. Leaning against the 
bottle is the combined menu and place-card which reads 
(the explanations are for the hostess) : 

The Sunshine Laundry, 

In account with 

Suds and Clothespins — Tomato soup concealed with 

whipped cream, and finger rolls for clothespins 

Flat Work — Sliced chicken, fried eggplant 

Rough Dry — Lettuce with French dressing. 

Soap — Sponge cakes, with white or maple icing 

Starch — Cornstarch pudding in individual tubs 

Bluing — Grape juice 



CHAPTER XXV 

THE DAYS WE CELEBRATE — BIRTHDAYS 
AND WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES 

A Cotton Wedding usually celebrates the first year of 
marriage. For the luncheon the table should be all in cot- 
ton — the plate, cup and tumbler doilies of cotton batting, 
cut circular and the rough edges splashed with silver paint. 
In the center have a basket covered with the cotton and 
holding white flowers. Mark each place with a little roll 
of cotton which, when unrolled, contains a favor. The 
place-cards may be of cotton batting, each with an arti- 
ficial flower thrust through the corner. 

The menu might begin with grapefruit, followed by 
chicken patties, hot rolls, olives, celery hearts, fruit salad, 
ice cream and cake. The dessert, served on exquisite 
white-and-gold plates, might consist of two fluffy balls, the 
larger one being tutti-frutti ice cream molded in plain va- 
nilla and rolled in shredded cocoanut, the smaller consist- 
ing of angel-food cake rolled in marshmallow paste and 
cocoanut. Coffee and mints should follow. 

Paper Wedding 

The Paper Wedding as a rule marks the second anni- 
versary but in some cases is used to celebrate the first, 
and, as there are usually many social debts to pay at the 
end of the first year of marriage, it is a convenient time to 
give a large party at comparatively small expense. 
571 



572 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

The living room may be decorated with streamers, can- 
dle shades, etc., of crepe paper in tones harmonizing with 
the hangings. Masses of flowers in crepe-paper-rope bas- 
kets may be used in abundance, relieved by the delicate 
tracery of paper vines. A Dresden color scheme could be 
easily carried out, the pastel shades being used, as pale yel- 
low, light blue, shell pink, pale mauve and white, culminat- 
ing in the dining room, where a buffet supper may be laid 
upon the dining table. 

The tablecloth should be of crepe paper, in Dresden de- 
sign, or else in white showered with blossoms. The nap- 
kins should be of similar design. The centerpiece should 
consist of a gilded crepe-paper-rope basket filled with 
vines and flowers in Dresden shades, any possible stiffness 
being relieved by a few sprays of natural asparagus. The 
candlesticks may be made of the same material as the 
basket, the shades being of Dresden design. Most of the 
table dishes can be obtained in decorated pasteboard, al- 
though when this is not feasible the china may be hidden 
by paper frillings. Decorated pasteboard dishes also may 
be used entirely for service. A suitable menu would be: 

Chicken or Oyster Patties 

Celery Hearts Pineapple, Cherry and Nut Salad 

Brown Bread and Cream Cheese Sandwiches 

Orange Marmalade Sandwiches Olives Salted Nuts 

Biscuit Tortoni (or Maple Mousse) in Paper Boxes 

Decorated with Paper Flowers 

Slices of Wedding Cake in Paper Wrappings 

Angel Cake Bonbons in Paper Cases Coffee 

Wooden Wedding 

The fifth year brings the Wooden Wedding. Every 
woman occasionally loves to get the " girls " of her former 



BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES 573 

wedding party together, so this seems to offer a good 
occasion for a ladies' luncheon. The invitations may be 
written on birch bark or on fresh hardwood chips, while 
the wooden idea may be carried throughout the meal. The 
tables should be bare and strewn with rushes. A splint 
basket of pansies and forget-me-nots with a tracery of 
maidenhair affords a pretty centerpiece; the candlesticks 
may be of wood, the shades being in design to match the 
centerpiece. 

The place-flowers may consist of pansy corsage bou- 
quets, and the place-cards, written or burned on splints, 
may each bear an artificial pansy or two. Relishes, etc., 
should be served in wooden baskets to match the center- 
piece, while the individual nut dishes may consist of tiny 
wooden shoes. The dishes both for table and service 
should be of wood, even the chopping tray being utilized 
for the salad or for an ice. The menu might include : 

Oranges au Naturel on Wooden Plates with Decoration 

of Maidenhair 

Celery Soup with Whipped Cream in Wooden Bowls 

Chicken Timbales with Creamed Asparagus on Wooden Plates 

Rice Croquettes 

Stuffed Turban Squash Salad (Individual), Filling of Green 

Peppers and Shrimps arranged on a low wooden salad 

tray; wooden spoon and fork used for serving 

Entire- Wheat Biscuit 

Grape Juice Mousse and Vanilla Ice Cream with Nuts, served 

from a long chopping tray 

Wedding Cake Found Cakes Iced in Violet and Yellow 

Lavender and Yellow Candies Coffee 

The fifth anniversary might be celebrated with the 
following party instead of luncheon. Invitations to 
a Wooden Wedding celebration might be written on 
the reverse side of imitation wood paper. This paper 



574 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

might also be used to cover the refreshment table. The 
following verse might be used : 

Perhaps our Wooden Wedding you'll help us celebrate — 

Indeed, five years we're married, the date. 

Please try to be quite punctual and make nobody wait — 
Each person is unlucky, who's to a wedding late — 
Rally on Street, at No. — , at eight. 

Pine shavings might be tacked along the picture mold- 
ing, festooned over doors and windows and hung from 
chandeliers. The centerpiece might consist of a wooden 
chopping bowl mounted on a potato masher. This might 
be filled with either flowers or fruit. Favors in the form 
of tiny wooden churns and water bottles may be pur- 
chased. Tiny chopping bowls on cakes of chocolate are 
also suitable for favors. 

The first game might be a " Trading Game." Small 
slips of paper are hidden about the room, each slip bear- 
ing the name of some household utensil. With one ex- 
ception all the names should be repeated several times, 
so that there will be five " Brooms," six " Chairs," etc., 
but only one " Shears." No one is told of this exception. 
The guests are told to search for the slips. When it 
seems that all have been found trading is begun, with the 
announced purpose that each person should acquire and 
retain as many slips of one name or kind as he can. The 
trading is " blind " — that is, no one knows what he may 
get in the trade. 

Any number of slips may be traded for any other equal 
or unequal number. The " Shears " slip should be hidden 
where it is sure to be found. Trading should be very 
active, and the odd slip changes hands often, for no one 
will have any to match it. When a halt is called, it is 
announced that the holder of " Shears " is the winner, as 



BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES 575 

any one having it would surely have all there is of that 
sort. Those who have traded it so eagerly will of course 
be " sold." 

Next have a " Wedding Game," played progressively. 
Partners are chosen by matching halves of split clothes- 
pins. There should be five tables, each bearing square 
cards on which are the letters of the alphabet, one to a 
card. The cards should be face down on the tables, and 
the tables placarded as follows : " Names of the Wed- 
ding Guests," " Flowers in the Bride's Bouquet," " Viands 
of the Wedding Feast," " Wedding Gifts," and " Cities 
Seen on the Wedding Journey." 

Four guests are placed at each table, partners opposite. 
On signal one turns a card to expose the letter it bears, 
and the first one to give an appropriate name beginning 
with the same letter wins that card. Thus if " A " were 
turned at the first table, someone at that table might cry 
" Alfred " and take the card. If " A " should be turned 
at the second table a flower, such as " Aster," might 
be called. When final time is called the couple hav- 
ing progressed the greatest number of times wins the 
game. 

For the next contest partners might be chosen by match- 
ing the halves of dissected proverbs. After this choosing, 
pencils should be passed, and papers on which are typed 
the following " missing word " verses. It should be ex- 
plained that every missing word is the name of some sort 
of wood. The missing words are herein capitalized: 

A Wooden Wedding 

Her name was HAZEL Toogood, 

And his was ELMer Keech. 
They met, one lovely evening, 

Last summer, on the BEECH. 



576 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

He was a sturdy ASHman 

With heart as true as OAK. 
He fell in love completely, 

And presently he spoke. 

Said he, " M,y PEACH, I love you, 

And I'll be ever true; 
If we apart must sever 

I'd PINE and BALSAM for YEW." 

Said she : " My locks are REDWOOD 

You love in spite of that ? " 
He said : " Yes, if you would PRUNE them 

And wear a SPRUCEr hat." 

Her TULIPS were like honey, 

Presented for his kiss; 
He surely picked no LEMON 

When he got that little Miss. 

Though he was PLANE and homely, 
For beauty she took the PALM; 

But her temper was hot as PEPPER, 
While he was CHERRY and calm. 

They were married by the ELDER, 
With ORANGE blossoms fair; 

Though he chewed GUM at the wedding, 
Folks said 'twas a well-matched PEAR. 

Refreshments might consist of cake and block ice cream 
served on wooden plates, small wooden mustard spoons 
being provided for the ice cream. 

The winners in the games might be given chances at a 
" grab bag," which is really a box filled with shavings 
and containing prizes, all of wood. A wooden salad set, 
a rolling pin and a wooden spoon might be in the box. 



BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES 577 



Tin Wedding 

The tenth anniversary brings the Tin Wedding, which 
seems to offer adequate opportunity for a jolly dinner. A 
pretty centerpiece could be arranged in a tin pan filled with 
sand. A wealth of pink geraniums, with leaves and bud 
ends, and a little asparagus to add a bit of grace, would 
be attractive; tulips would be pretty, or any other simple 
flowers that harmonize with anything so utilitarian as tin. 
Tin candlesticks with perforated tin shades (lined with 
color), or shades in flower design to correspond with the 
centerpiece, should appear, while the dishes for hors 
d'ceuvres should be in odd shapes — heart pans, small jelly 
molds, etc. Little scalloped patty pans may be used for 
individual salted nuts. 

The table and service dishes may be entirely of tin, 
even the finger bowls consisting of tin pans. The place- 
cards may be attached to suitable tin souvenirs tied with 
bows of white satin ribbon, which should be at every place. 
If these can emphasize personal idiosyncrasy, so much the 
better. It is unnecessary to say that all these dishes should 
be bright and new, and that good taste requires the tin 
idea to be modified with flowers and little graceful touches 
so that it is not too harsh. A suitable menu is : 

Oysters on the Half Shell with Horse-radish, on low tin plates 

Slices of Lemon Consomme 

Crackers in tin bowls Olives Celery 

Crown Roast Lamb, Filling of Brown Rice Peas 

Stuffed Squabs in individual tin pans Dressed Lettuce 

Orange Sherbet and Ginger Mousse (large mold) on a tin tray 

Wedding Cake Vanilla Wafers 

Cheese and Crackers 

Coffee 



578 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Crystal Wedding 

The Crystal Wedding marks the fifteenth anniversary, 
and is a suitable time for an informal evening '' at home." 
The invitations may be written on frosted cards. The 
table should be arranged buffet style. The covering may 
be of any handsome linen or lace cloth ; the centerpiece 
should consist of a bow^l of roses (yellov^, pink or vi^hite, 
according to the dining-room decorations), set on a mirror 
wreathed in flowers. The candlesticks should be of glass, 
the shades carrying out the color of the centerpiece; and 
the dishes for bonbons, nuts, etc., should be of glass. 
Glass plates may be used also for sandwiches, cakes, etc., 
glass platters or bowls for salads and ices (served on the 
table), while glass dishes may be used for service. A 
suitable menu is : 

Jellied Tongue and Egg Loaf 

Creamed Chicken and Mushroom (Chafing Dish) Rolls 

Olives Salted Nuts 

Celery and Apple Salad 

Entire-Wheat-Bread Sandwiches 

Raspberry Parfait and Pistachio Ice Wedding Cake 

Angel Cakelets Coffee 

The refreshments may be served from the table by four 
ladies, one to preside over the chafing dish, one to serve 
salad and loaf, another the ice and a fourth to pour coffee. 

Another suggestion for the crystal anniversary is to 
have the color scheme green and white, using a white 
Battenberg cloth on the table, with a green lining, and 
having a block of ice for a centerpiece set in a dripping 
pan covered with white cloth and green leaves. The ice 
should have a hole cut in the center large enough for the 
stems of fifteen white asters ; then place around this fifteen 



BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES 579 

glass candlesticks, with half green candles and half white. 

The luncheon should be served on glass plates and cups 
and sherbet dishes as follows : Chicken bouillon, with 
green parsley sprinkled on top ; celery and olives and 
saltine crackers; chicken salad on lettuce leaf; lettuce 
sandwiches and bread and butter sandwiches ; potato chips 
and pickles ; sherbet, with a green cherry on top ; angel 
cake frosted with green and white; coffee served with 
whipped cream in glass cups. 

The favors might be small-sized glass candlesticks with 
green candles. 

Silver Webding 

The Silver Wedding, coming at the end of the quarter 
century, should always be celebrated. In case a dinner 
is given the invitations can be written on white cards 
with silver ink. The tablecloth may be of either damask 
or linen and lace; the decorations should carry out the 
silver idea, a low silver bowl full of pink and white sweet 
peas and wreathed in smilax being a suitable centerpiece. 
The candlesticks should be of silver with silver shades, 
or with shades fashioned of material to echo the center- 
piece. Corsage bouquets of sweet peas should be pro- 
vided for the women and boutonnieres of white pinks and 
asparagus for the men. The place-cards should be written 
in silver ink on silver-edged cards and decorated with 
sprays of sweet peas. If the silver wedding marks the 
reunion of the wedding party, photographs of each person, 
taken at the time of the wedding, make unusual place- 
cards. 

Silver dishes should be used as far as possible. Individ- 
ual nut dishes may be easily fashioned of silver paper. 
The menu may be planned as follows: 



58o THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

Grapefruit Cocktail, served in Grapefruit Cups set on Silver- 
Paper Doilies with decorations of Parsley 
and Radish Roses 
Chicken Soup with Asparagus Tips 
Wafers, tied in bundles of two with silver cord 
Escalloped Tuna Fish in Ramekins set in silver holders ; silver- 
paper doilies placed on plates 
Olives Celery Sticks Salted Nuts 

Roast Duck Tart Apple Sauce Brown Rice 

Tomatoes filled with String Beans and Bits of Cauliflower, 
French-Pepper Dressing 
Tiny Rolls 
Strawberry Mousse served in Angel-Cake Baskets iced in 
White and decorated with Silver Candies 
Wedding Cake Cheese Sticks Coffee. 



Golden Wedding 

The Golden Wedding marks an event so important that 
no celebration except a reception can accommodate the 
guests. The invitations should be written in gold ink on 
gold-edged cards. The house should be a bower of golden 
flowers : spring brings daffodils ; summer, golden glow and 
nasturtiums; autumn, goldenrod and brilliant leaves; late 
autumn and early winter, chrysanthemums. 

Refreshments should be served from the dining table 
in modified buffet style. That is to say, the table may be 
decorated and laid according to buft'et plan, although, be- 
cause of the large number of guests, refreshments should 
be served by either men or women trained for the purpose. 
The dining table may be covered with a beautiful open- 
work cloth, laid over yellow satin (for nothing is too 
sumptuous for a golden wedding), or white damask 
sprinkled with golden blossoms may be used. 

The centerpiece should consist of a cut-glass bowl full 



BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES 581 

of yellow flowers; nasturtiums are beautiful for this pur- 
pose if they are gathered ruthlessly, vines and all. The 
candlesticks may be of brass, gold or glass, but the shades 
should carry out the central floral idea. Gold lace-paper 
doilies may be laid on sandwich and cake plates; baskets 
of gold and decorated paper hold nuts and candies. Gold- 
band or yellow-decorated dishes should be used when pos- 
sible. In every way the yellow scheme should be em- 
phasized. A suitable menu follows: 

Jellied Bouillon Whipped Cream 

Mushrooms and Chicken in Ramekins Rolls 

Lobster Salad with a Garnish of Riced Hard-Cooked Eggs 

Entire-Wheat-Bread Sandwiches 

Orange Sherbet Little Pound Cakes Iced in Yellow 

Chocolate Cakes Iced in White 

White and Yellow Bonbons Coffee 

Souvenir Wedding Cake in boxes tied with Gold Cord; 

Monogram and Date in Gold 



A Surprising Party 

The party a wife planned for her husband's birthday 
was an elaboration of the ordinary surprise party, and 
was most successful. Their friends were invited to appear 
at eight o'clock and to be as surprising in dress, manner 
and speech as possible, and the extraordinary collection 
of makeups with which they expressed their ideals of being 
surprising kept the guests in a gale of laughter. The hero 
of the occasion was ensconced in an easy-chair at one end 
of the long drawing-room, and as the guests arrived they 
were presented to him. When all were there he awarded 
a prize to the one who had surprised him the most. After 
this ceremony the guests were called upon in turn to tell 
of the most surprising things they had ever seen or heard, 



582 THE BOOK OF GAMES AND PARTIES 

and the narrator of the most astonishing incident received 
a prize. 

The refreshments were simply nuts and fruit, but when 
the oranges fell open, as they did at a touch, they were 
found to contain ice cream. They did not attempt to dis- 
guise the cake. 

After the supper everyone was called on for a sur- 
prising stunt, and again a prize was awarded. The prizes 
were surprising also, being unusual things. The host made 
a little speech to the effect that he had carefully selected 
the most valuable articles within his reach, and the prizes 
were an egg, a bit of coal, and an onion, each carefully 
tied up in tissue paper with pretty ribbons. 

A Party for Grandma 

Don't make the mistake of forcing peppermints and 
lavender decorations on the grandmas. 

The following luncheon was given by a dear old lady 
on her eighty-fourth birthday with great success to her 
friends, and the table was arranged as she planned it. 

The table was spread with a Cluny luncheon set, lined 
with yellow. The centerpiece was a white flower basket 
filled with yellow and white marguerites. These were 
made into eight separate bunches, each surrounded by 
maidenhair fern, while the effect was of one large mass 
of flowers. 

Alternate white and pale yellow ribbons ran from the 
centerpiece to each plate. Little white paper baskets, 
the handles tied with yellow bows, served as bonbon 
dishes, and were filled with yellow and white candies — 
not peppermints. 

On each napkin was a hand-painted card in the shape 
of a fountain — a tiny cherub holding a bowl — symbolic 



BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES 583 

of the Fountain of Youth, the guest's name being written 
across the bowl. The souvenirs were little utility rolls 
for holding pins, needles and thread for the traveling 
bag, made of yellow and white Dresden ribbon. The 
menu: 

Tomato Bouillon with Whipped Cream 

Strips of Toast Potted Pigeon Currant Jelly 

Potatoes Stuffed with Green Peas 

Asparagus on Toast Olives Pickled Walnuts 

Lettuce and Grapefruit Salad 

Cinnamon Sticks Crackers Roquefort Cheese 

Demi-Tasse 

Before the guests left the table each one pulled her 
ribbon and had a bouquet to carry home. After luncheon 
they all gathered around the large open fire in the living 
room and told stories and talked of their plans for the 
summer. 



INDEX 



585 



A-Berrying Go, Let's 231 

Acquaintance Maker, Mix- 

Up, 419 

Addresses, Game of Hard, 457 
Admittance Fee, Novel, 34 

Advertisements, Guessing, 452 
Aeroplane Ride, 20 

Afternoon Games, Christmas, 382 
Afternoon Musical, 85 

Age Party, Progressive, 230 

Aggravation, Apple, 338 

Airplane Tally, 379 

Allied Game, 220 

Alliterative Snowballs, Ten, 16 
Alliterative Tea, 496 

Alphabet Contest, 497 

Alphabet Game, 257 

American Buildings' Contest, 472 
American Flowers' Contest, 472 
American-Made Material 

Contest, 472 

Animals Ready for the Ark, 

Getting the, 335 

Animated Yarns, 449 

Announced It, How Three 

Girls, 545 

Announcement L u n c heon, 

Rose, 568 

Announcement, Puzzle, 544 

Announcement, Thimble 

Party, 546 

Announcements, Engagement, 543 
Answers, Twisted, 107 

Antics, Apple, 336 

Apple Aggravation, 338 

Apple Antics, 336 

Apple Duck, 337 

Apple-Seed Test, 316 

Apples and Flour, 316 

Apples, Pare of, 337 

April First Refreshment 

Novelties, 119 

April-Fool Dishes, Other, 126 
April-Fool Menu, 121 



April-Fool Party, 112 
April-Fool Quotations for 

Place Cards, 130 

Aquatic Wedding, 234 

Arctic Modeling Class, 10 

Arithmetic Contest, 498 

Arithmetic, Flower, 165 
Ark, Getting the Animals 

Ready for the, 335 
Around the World With 

Music, 392 

Art Contest, Works of, 417 

Art Party, Progressive, 417 

Association Game, 455 

Astrological Fortunes, 8 

Astronomy, Test in, 356 
Athletic Luncheon at the 

Country Club, 226 

Auction, Christmas, 368 

Auction, Valentine, 39 

Audubon Social, 173 

Author's Hunt, 404 

Autobiography, Jane Smith's, 454 

Automobile Contests, 488 

Automobile Party, 486 
Autumn or Old Home Week 

Social, _ _ 517 

Avoirdupois Contest, Prize, 481 

Azalea Decoration, 145 

B 

Bacon, Bats and Chop par- 
ties, 266 
Balloon Game, 540 
Balloon Race, 536 
Balloon Tag, 537 
Banquet, Botanical, 188 
Barrel and Bell Game, 473 
Basket Shower, 550 
Baskets, Seven Edible, 151 
Bathing Party, Beach, 275 
Bats and Chop Parties, 

Bacon, 266 

Bean-Bag Relay, 473 

Bean Bother, 338 



586 



INDEX 



Bear Gifts, Old Pines, 265 
Bedroom Shower, 549 
Bell Contest, 358 
Bell Game, Barrel and, 473 
Bell Party, 357 
Bell Program, 359 
Beach Bathing Party, 275 
Betsy Ross Porch Party, 199 
Billboard Game, 452 
Bird Couplets, 169 
Bird Show Contest, 174 
Bird or Beast Partners, 440 
Bird Pictures, 171 
Bird Programs, 171 
Bird Riddles, 169 
Birdland, Frolic in, 168 
Birthday, Eight- Year-Old's, 530 
Birthday, Two-Year-Old, 530 
Birthday, Wee Ones, 529 
Birthday, Dickens', 80 
Birthday, Sixteenth, SIX 
Birthday Social, Washing- 
ton's, 57 
Birthday, When Nancy Has 

a, * 531 
Black-Eyed-Susan Table, 224 
Blindfolded Feeding Con- 
test, 479 
"Blizzard," 138 
Blowing Bubbles, 82 
Blowing the Candle, 316 
Blowing the Feather, 138 
Blue Monday Shower, 569 
Blue-and-White Shower, 554 
Boards, Tetc-a-Tete Lunch 

eon, 209 
Boat Trip, Surprise, 253 
Bonfire for Variety, Dark- 
Night, 263 
Bouquet, Colorful, 60 
Botanical Banquet, 188 
Bother, Bean, 338 
Bottle Shower, 563 
Boxes, Favor, 343 
Boxes, Peep, 380 



Boxing Match, 482 

Boys, Christmas "Stag" for, 366 

Breakfast, Eastertime, 144 

Breakfast for Seniors, 181 

Breakfast, Outdoor, 242 

Bride, Surprise Shower for, 551 

Brush Shower, 553 

Bubbles, Blowing, 82 

Bubbling Hearts, 37 

Buildings' Contest, American, 472 

Bundles Just for Fun, Gift, 388 

Bunkin' Party, 272 

Bun Race, 271 

Burlesque Tableaux, 118 

Button Party, 435 



Cakes: 

April Fool Party, 120, 127 

Christmas Forest, 391 

Fortune Candle, 7 

George Washington, 51 

Picture, 391 

Pomsettia, 390 
Pride of the Regiment, 61 

Christmas Tables and 

Christmas, 389 

New Year's, 18 

Twelfth Night, 9 

Cakewalk, 252 

Call, Social, 420 

Camp Last Summer? Did 

You, 339 

Camp Supper Club, 259 

Campfire on the Hills, 254 

Campfire Spell Down, 257 

Camping Party, Indoor, 330 

Candle, Blowing the, 316 

Candle, Good Night, 341 
Candle Holders, Pine Cone, 389 

Candlelight Salad, 345 

Candy Favor, Lincoln, 51 

Can You Test?, 528 

Cards, Making Place, 133 



INDEX 



587 



Carpenter, Romance of the 

Lawyer and the, 461 

Carryall Picnic Game, 268 

Case, Interesting, 544 

Cat Contest, 135 

Cat, Finding the Witch's, 300 

Cat, Hallowe'en, 302 

Cats, Fortune 'for, 302 

Centerpiece, Goblintown, 323 

Centerpiece, Spooktown, 324 

Centerpiece, Tug-of-War, 320 

Century Lap Luncheon, XIV, 152 
Ceremony, Clock-Tower, 191 

Chairless Partners, 440 

Change in Refreshments, 95 

Chanje Stations, 488 

Characteristic Expressions, 58 

Charade Greeting, 427 

Charades, Christmas Dinner, 359 
Charades, County Fair, 455 

Charades, Irish-City, 93 

Charades, Musical, 394 

Charades, Song, 401 

Chariot Race, _ 483 

Charms and Superstitions, 280 
Cheer Up! Cherries are Ripe, 246 
Cherries are Ripe, Cheer Up!, 246 
Cherry Party, _ 52 

Cherry Tree, Chopping Down 

the, 52 

Chestnut Party, 327 

Chicken Game, 536 

Chicken Supper, Things Are 
Not Always What They 
Seem, 124 

Children's Easter Party, 533 

Choice, Ladies', 69 

Chop Parties, Bacon, Bats 

and, 266 

Christmas Afternoon Games, 382 
Christmas Auction, 368 

Christmas Cobwebs, 349 

Christmas Customs, 341 

Christmas Dinner Charades, 359 
Christmas Favor Party, 342 



Christmas Morning Games, 379 
Christmas Musicale, 370 
Christmas Post Office, 349 
Christmas-Shopping Panto- 
mime, 371 
Christmas "Stag" for the 

Boys, 366 

Christmas Souvenir Picture, 352 

Christmas-Star Party, 354 

Christmas-Stocking Games, 372 

Christmas-Stocking Party, 347 

Christmas "Storm," 343 
Christmas Tables and 

Christmas Cakes, 389 
"Christmas Taper" Party, A 

"Firelight" or, 344 

Christmas-Tree Party, 350 
Christmas Tree, Trimming 

the, 378 

Choirs, Church, 341 
Chopping Down the Cherry 

Tree, _ 52 
Church Choirs, 341 
Circus of Renown, 538 
City Friends, Country Girl's, 228 
Clam-Shell Fight, 535 
Clapping, Heart, 42 
Class Games, 425 
Class Night and Class Par- 
ties, Fun for, 179 
Class Toasts, 194 
Clipping Fortunes, 26 
Clock-Tower Ceremony, 191 
Cloth Conundrums, 427 
Cloth Contest, 426 
Clover Luncheon, 240 
Clover Shower, 549 
Clown's Face, Making the, 541 
Club, Athletic Luncheon at 

the Country, 226 

Club, For a Sewing, 154 

Club, Garden, 206 

Club, Laugh About Them, 527 

Club, Merry Whistlers, 528 

Club, Thimble, 433 



588 



INDEX 



Clubs, Embroidery, 427 

Cobwebs, Christmas, 349 

College Course, Short-Cut, 421 

College Romance, 460 

College Social, 423 

Colorful Bouquet, 60 

Comedies, Movie, 525 

Commencement, 422 

Commercial Mother Goose, 45 5 

Competition, Roadside, 381 

Competitive Games, 367 

Composition, Musical, 393 

Concert, Glee, 421 

Confetti Pictures, 20 

Contests : 

Alphabet, _ _ 497 

American Buildings', 472 

American Flowers', 472 

American-Made Material, 472 

Arithmetic, 498 

Automobile, 488 

Bell, 358 

Blindfolded Feeding, 479 

Cloth, 426 

Confetti Pictures, 20 

Current Events, 2 

Date, 470 

Easter Bonnet, 534 

Eating and Whistling, 480 

Egg-Rolling, 534 

Futurist, 451 

Geography, 498 

Heart Shooting, 23 

Initial, 456 

Literature, 499 

Missing Word, 575 

Motor Love Story, 489 

New Year's Gifts, 17 

Nut Guessing, 328 

Personal T's, 495 

Physioloey, 499 

Pie, 468 

Pin, 209, 450 

Potato Paring, SOS 

President, 472 



Price Avoirdupois, 481 

Quotation, 413 

Shakespearean Wedding, 463 

Shooting, 331 

Silhouette, 4 

Star, 356 

Tongue Twisters, 484 

U-Auto-Know, 489 

Watch, 2 

Works of Art, 417 

Conundrums, Cloth, 427 

Conundrums, Fabric, 437 

Conundrums, Flag, 471 

Conundrums from Objects, 

Guessing, 458 

Conundrums, Gastronomic, 469 

Conundrums, Matchmaking, 430 

Conversational Rule, Fine, 267 

Cooing Doves, 39 

Cool Reception, 210 
Corn Festival, Indian Social 

or, 513 

Corn Race, 535 

Cornfield, Ghosts in the, 319 

Cost, Favors at Little, 97 

Costume, Debate, a la, 519 

Costume Race, 451 

Cotton Wedding, 571 

Counting Out, 65 
Country Club, Athletic 

Luncheon at the, 226 

Country Girl's City Friends, 228 

County Fair Charades, 455 

Couplets, Bird, 169 
Courage, Whistle to Keep Up 

Our, 501 

Course of Study, 421 

Course, Short-Cut College, 421 

Courtship, Vegetable, 238 

Crazy Quilt, Grandmother's, 110 

Croquet on the Lawn, 223 

Crystal Reading, 180 

Crystal Wedding, 578 

Cubist Party, 491 

Cub-Reporter Game, 515 



INDEX 



589 



Cup Race, 270 

Current Events Contest, 2 

Customs, Christmas, 341 

Cutting the Heart String, 37 



Daffodil and Violet Luncheon, 145 
Daffodil Table, 153 
Dark, Games in the, 384 
Dark-Night Bonfire for Va- 
riety, 263 
Date Contest, 470 
Debate a la Costume, 519 
Declaration of Independence, 

Reciting, 55 

Decorating the Table, 317 
Decorations : 

Azalea, 145 
Arctic Scene, 10 
Bottle Shower, 563 
Chestnut Party, 327 
Christmas-Star Party, 355 
Circus of Renown, 539 
Cool Reception, 211 
District School Party, 496 
Fate Party for Juniors, 184 
Finding the Witch's Cat, 301 
Football Dinner, 329 
Frolic in Birdland, 168 
Futurist Party, 19 
Garden Club, 206 
Ghost Party, 306 
Hallowe'en Table, 317 
Handy Shower, 562 
Harvest Salamagundi, 335 
Horror Party, 310 
Indian Party, 506 
Indian Social or Com Fes- 
tival, _ 513 
Indoor Camping Party, 330 
Indoor Picnic, 334 
Maple-Leaf Luncheon, 314 
Mother Nature's Party, 474 
Newspaper Social, 515 
Novel Fishing Party, 235 



Once-in-Four Party, 68 
Paper Wedding, 572 
Peach Party, 217 
Pqinsettia Table, 390 
Progressive Art Party, 417 
Pussy Willow Party, 135 
Rest Party, 522 
Shamrock Party, 81 
Shamrock Social, 98 
Thanksgiving Time Re- 
union, 339 
Twelfth Night, 8 
Witch Party, 308 
Wooden Wedding, 574 
Dickens' Birthday, Party in 

Honor of, 80 
Did you Camp Last Summer? 339 

Dinner, Fisherman's-Luck, 233 

Dinner, Football, 329 

Dinner, Joy-Ride, 486 

Dinner, Pedestrian, 385 

Dishes, Other April-Fool, 126 

Dishes, Other Mock, 122 

District School Party, 496 

Domestic Social, 516 
Do You Know the Signers?, 200 

Drawing Ireland, 82 

Drawing Shamrocks, 82 

Dublin, Walk to, 106 

Duck, Apple, 337 



Easter Bonnet Contest, 534 

Easter Novelties, 146 

Easter Party, Children's, 533 

Easter Party or Luncheon, 133 
Eastertime Breakfast, 144 

Eating and Whistling Con- 



Edible Baskets, Seven, 


151 


Effusions, Telegraphic, 


71 


Egg Hunt, 


533 


Egg-Rolling Contest, 


534 


Egg Scramble, 


534 


Eggs, Tossing, 


534 



590 



INDEX 



Eight-Year-Old's Birthday, 530 
Elephant with Peanuts, Feed- 
ing the, 540 
Embroidery Clubs, 427 
Engagement Announcements, 543 
Enjoyed Helping Themselves, 212 
Entertaining on the Porch, 208 
Entertaining, Stunts for, 114 
Entertaining Suggestions, 248 
Evening With New Records, 395 
Examination, Physical and 

Psychological, 523 

Exchange, Fair, 520 

Exhibits, Fake, 118 

Expressions, Characteristic, 58 
Eyeing Your Partner, 440 

Eyes, Fingers and Memories 
for These, 61 



Fabric Conundrums, 437 

Face, Making the Clown's, 541 

Fagot Party, 261 

Fair Exchange, 520 

Fak^ Exhibits, 118 

Fakes, Musical, 403 

Famous Lovers, 70 
Farewell Party to the Old 

Year, _ 4 

Fashion Review, 5 

Fate Party for Juniors, 183 

Favor Boxes, 343 

Favor, Lincoln Candy, 51 

Favorite Flower Social, 176 

Favors at Little Cost, 97 

Favors, Bottle Shower, 564 
Favors, Indoor Camping 

Party, 332 

Favors, Needle Festival, 437 

Favors, Rabbit Party, _ 535 
Favors, Racket or Noise 

Making, 6 

Favors, Snowball Rime, 14 

Favors, Tricks and, 113 

Favors, Two Novel Ways to 



Bestow, 387 

Feather, Blowing the, 138 

Feature Game, 465 

Fee, Novel Admittance, 34 

Feeding Contest, Blindfolded, 479 
Feeding the Elephants With 

Peanuts, 540 

Feeding the Pigs, 86 

Fest, Joke,* 502 

Festival, Fruit, 244 
Festival, Indian Social or 

Corn, 513 

Festival Needle, 436 

Fete, Orchard, 245 

Fete, Outdoor Patriotic, 203 

Fete, Watermelon, 249 

Fight, Clam-Shell, 535 

Final Exams, Refreshments, 425 

Finding the Witch's Cat, 300 

Fine Conversational Rule, 267 
Fingers, Memories and Eyes 

for These, 61 
"Firelight" or "Christmas 

Taper" Party, 344 

Fireside Pastime, 346 
First Refreshment Novelties, 

April, _ 119 

Fish-Guessing Game, 235 

Fisherman's-Luck Dinner, 233 

Fishing Party, Novel, 235 

"Fixing" the Wraps, 115 

Flag Conundrums, 471 

Flag, Ribbon, 199 

Flag Rush, 420 

Floral Program, 177 

Floral Wedding Story, 160 

Flour, Apples and, 316 

Flower Arithmetic, 165 

Flower Contest, American, 472 

Flower Partners, 439 

Flower Show, 160 

Flower Social, Favorite, 176 

Flower Stories, 163 

Follow the Leader, 338 

Fool Menu, April, 121 



INDEX 



591 



Fool Party, April, 


112 


Fun Makers, Four Good Val- 




Foolishness Party, 


520 


entine, 


40 


Football Dinner, 


329 


Futurist Contest, 


451 


For What Should We be 




Futurist Game, 


19 


Thankful?, 


330 


Futurist Party, 


19 


Forest Cake, 


391 


G 

Games: 




Forestry, Pagent, 


172 




Forestry Social, 


172 


Allied, 


220 


Fortune Candle Cake, 


7 


Association, 


455 


Fortune, Good-Night Kiss, 


282 


Balloon, 


540 


Fortune Heart Tree, 


22 


Barrel and Bell, 


473 


Fortune, Hitting Your, 


23 


Billboard, 


452 


Fortune on Your Hand, 


286 


Chicken, 


536 


Fortune Rimes, 400, 474- 


Christmas Afternoon, 


382 


Fortune Wheel, 


39 


Christmas Morning, 


379 


Fortune's The Thing, 


284 


Christmas-Stocking, 


372 


Fortunes, Clipping, 


26 


Class, 


425 


Fortunes for Cats, 


302 


Competitive, 


367 


Fortunes, Hallowe'en Party, 


297 


Cub-Reporter, 


515 


Fortunes, Pansy, 


164 


Feature, 


465 


Fortunes, Sea of Matrimony, 


45 


Ghost, 


258 


Fortunes Seen by the Old 




Grandmother's Garden, 


565 


Witch, Frivolous, 


286 


Guessing, 


467 


Four-Corner Obstacle Race, 


480 


Hard Addresses, 


457 


Four Good Valentine Fun 




Headline, 


515 


Makers, 


40 


Holiday, 


466 


Fourth-of-July House Party, 




Indoor Track Meet, 


481 


Picnic for. 


196 


In the Dark, 


384 


Fourth-of-July Luncheon, - 


205 


Introduction, 


442 


Freak Party, Harvest, 


325 


Jack-o'-Lantem, 


282 


Friends, Country Girl's City, 


228 


Leap Year, 


64 


Friends, Party for All Our, 


370 


Number, 


443 


Frivolous Fortunes Seen by 




Observation, 


347 


the Old Witch, 


286 


100 Questions, 


444 


Frolic in Birdland, 


168 


Outdoor, 


473 


Frolic, Weird Settings That 




Puzzling, 


455 


Add to the Spookiness of 




Rewards, 


453 


the. 


282 


Slang-less, 


441 


Fruit Festival, 


244 


Thanksgiving, 


329 


Fruit-Serving Suggestions, 


249 


Trading, 


574 


Fruits, IMoldcd, 


250 


Up-to-date, 


414 


Fun for Class Night and 




Wedding, 


575 


Class Parties, 


179 


Games and Stunts, Other, 


316 


Fun, Gift Bundles Just for, 


388 


Garden Club, 


206 



592 



INDEX 



Garden Shower, 564 

Gastronomic Conundrums, 469 
Geese, Making, 117 

"Geese," "Nuts" and, 111 

Geography Contest, 498 

Getting the Animals Ready 

for the Ark, 335 

"Getting the Mitten," 65 

Ghost Game, 258 

Ghost Party, 304 

Ghost Table With Yellow 

Moons, Spooky, 322 

Ghosts in the Cornfield, 319 

Gift Bundles Just for Fun, 388 
Gifts, Contest of New Year's, 17 
Gifts, Old Pines Bear, 265 

Girl's City Friends, Country, 228 
Girls Announced It, How 

Three, 545 

Glee Concert, 421 

Goat, Ride the, 312 

Goblet, Ring and, 316 

Goblintown Centerpiece, 323 

Going to the White House, 51 
Golden Hue, Table of, 153 

Golden Menu, 153 

Golden Wedding, 580 

Go, Let's A-Berrying, 231 

Golf, Potato, 100 

Good Cheer Parties, 524 

Good Cheer Questions, 525 

Good Idea While "On the 

Wav," 268 

Goodies, Out-of-Date, 493 

Good Night Candle, 341 

Gores, Gossets and, 429 

Gossip, Progressive, 69 

Grandma, Party for, 582 

Grandmother's Crazy Quilt, 110 
Grandmother's Garden Game, 565 
Grandmothers Missed, 

Things Our, 73 

Great White Prophet, 117 

Greek Symposium, 185 

Green Pig, Behold! A, 82 



Green, Wearing of the, 107 
Greens, Holly Reds and Ever, 344 
Greeting, Charade, 427 
Grin, Standing Broad, 480 
Growing on Trees, Refresh- 
ments, 211 
Guess. What Party, 263 
Guessing Advertisements, 452 
Guessing Contest, Leaf, 155 
Guessing Contest, St. Pat- 
rick's, 99 
Guessing Contest, Tree, 155 
Guessing Conundrums from 

Objects, 458 

Guessing Game, 467 

Guessing Historic Pictures, 62 
Guessing Objects on the 

Two-Cent Stamp, 383 

Guessing Out-of-Dates, 493 
Guest Has a Part, Where 

Each, 87 

Gussets and Gores, 429 

H 

Half Smiles, 524 

Hallowe'en Cat, 302 

Hallowe'en Ice, 322 

Hallowe'en Invitations, 311 

Hallowe'en Party, 280 

Hallowe'en Salad, 321 

Hammer Throw, 480 

Handy Shower, 562 

Hard Times Party, 505 
Harvest Freak Party, Thanks- 
giving and Other Autumn 

Days, 325 

Harvest Salmagundi, 335 

Harvest Supper Table, 339 

Hatchet Party, 53 

Hat Stunt, Martha's, 54 

Headdress Party, 214 

Headline Game, 515 

Heart Clapping, 42 

Heart Frame for Partners. 25 

Heart March, 36 



INDEX 



593 



Heart Shooting Contest, 23 

Heart String, Cutting the, 37 
Heart Strings, 37 

Heart Tree, Fortune, 22 

Heartstone Party, 347 

Hearts, Bubbling, 37 

Hearty Party, 22 

Help One, Help All, 277 

Helping Themselves, These 

Enjoyed, _ 212 

Hiding Ring, Thimble and 

Penny, 315 

Hills, Campfire on the, 254 

Historic Pictures, Guessing, 62 
Hitting Your Fortune, 23 

Hobo Party, 503 

Holiday Game, 466 

Holiday Luncheon, 386 

Holiday Press, Latest Sensa- 
tion in the, 372 
Holiday Silhouette Contest, 4 
Holly and Mistletoe Partners, 378 
Holly Reds and Ever Greens, 344 
Home Week Social, Autumn 

or Old, 517 

Honor of Dickens' Birthday, 

Party in, 80 

Hooking Partners, 236 

Hoop Race, 345 

Horoscope Party on the 

Porch, 214 

Horror Party, 309 

Horse Race, 482 

Hosiery Shower, 547 

House Party, Picnic for 

Fourth-of-July, 196 

How Three Girls Announced 

It, 545 

How to Make "Madam Pig," 90 
Hunt, Authors', 404 

Hunt, Egg, 533 

Hunt, Star, 356 

Hunting for Pennies, 271 

Hunting, Nut, Forestry So- 
cial, 172 



Hunts and Stunts, Shamrock, 83 
Hurdle Race, 481, 483 



Ice, Hallowe'en, 322 
Ideas, Refreshment and 

Other, 201 
Identity, Lost, 42 
Indian Party, 506 
Indian Social or Corn Festi- 
val, 513 
Indian Tribes, Well-Known, 462 
Indoor Canoing Party, 330 
Indoor Picnic, 334 
Indoor Rural Picnic, 332 
Indoor Track Meet, Games 

for an, 481 

Initial Contest, 456 

Initiation, 420 

Inscriptions, Garden Shower, 565 

Interesting Case, 544 

Introduction, Game of, 442 

Inventions, Popular, 414 

Invitations: 

April Fool Party, 112 

Audubon Social, 173 

Autumn or Old Home Week 

.Social, 517 

Blue Monday Shower, 569 

Bottle Shower, 563 

Bunkin's Party, 274 

Button Party, 435 

Chestnut Party, 327 

Christmas Favor Party, 342 

Christmas-Star Party, 355 

Circus of Renown, 538 

Clover Luncheon, 240 

Dark-Night Bonfire, 264 

District School Party 496 

Domestic Social, 516 

Favorite Flower Social, 177 

Finding the Witch's Cat, 300 
"Firelight" or "Christmas 

Taper" Party, 344 

Forestry Social, 172 



594 



INDEX 



Garden Club, _ 206 
Greek Symposium, 186 
Hallowe'en 311 
Hallowe'en Ghost Party, 304 
Hallowe'en Initiation, 311 
Hallowe'en Party, 283 
Hard Times Party, SOS 
Hatchet Party, S3 
Hobo Party, 503 
Horror Party, 309 
Indian Party, 506 
Indian Social or Corn Fes- 
tival, 513 
Indoor Camping Party, 330 
Indoor Picnic, 334 
Lawn Party, Old Elm's 

Party, _ 225 

Leap-Year Parties, 63 

Mad-March Party, 109 

Maple-Leaf Luncheon, 313 

Marshraallow Toast, 220 
May Walk, _ 166 & 167 

Money-Raising Social, 296 

Moonlight Party, 217 

Musical Party, 399 

New Year's, _ 17 

Newspaper Social, 514 

North Pole Party, 9 

Novel Fishing Party, 235 

Novel Teas, 494 

Novelty, 491 

Out-of-Date Social, 49 

Pancake Party, 132 

Patriot Party, 60 

Pedestrian Dinner, 385 

Pig Party, 89 

Progressive Art Party, 417 

Pussy Willow Party, 135 

Rabbit Party, 533 

Real-Estate Party, 517 

Rose Picnic, 239 

Rural Indoor Picnic, 332 
Saint Valentine's Own 

Party, 25 

Shamrock Party, 81 



Shamrock Social, 98 
Sixteenth Birthday Party, 511 
Spring Millinery Party, 139 
Spring in Old Japan, 146 
Tea Party, 432 
Thimble Party, 433 
To Meet the "Murphys," 85 
Twelfth Night, 8 
Twenty Years Ago Supper, 76 
Twister and Twirler Party, 484 
Unique Valentine, 35 
Valentine Party, 22 
Vegetable Party, 237 
Washington's Birthday, 57 
Watermelon Party, 251 
When Nancy Has a Birth- 
day, 531 
Windy Weather Party, 136 
Witch Party, 307 
Wooden Wedding, 574 
Ireland, Drawing, 82 
Ireland, Pin the Shamrock 

on, 100 

Ireland, Pleasure Trip to, 101 

Ireland, Scenes and Songs of, 103 

I Remember, 382 

Irish-City Charades, 93 

Irish Partners, 86 

Irish Stew, 101 

It is I, 465 

It is to Laugh, 117 



Jab, Peanut, 336 

Jack Horner Pie, 511 

Jack-o'-Lantern Game, 282 

Jane Smith's Autobiography, 

454 
Japan, Spring in Old, 146 

Japanese Games, 147 

Joke Pest, 502 

Jolly-Joker Party, 106 

Joy-Ride Dinner, 486 

Junior Prom, 425 

Just for Fun, 520 



INDEX 



595 



Killarney, Lakes of. 


108 


Kind of Picnic, New, 


221 


Kiss, Good-Night, 


282 


Kisses, Molasses, 


65 


Kitchen Shower, 


552 



Kitchen Shower, Another, 554 

Know the Signers? Do You, 200 

Kontest, Korn-Kernel, 337 

Korn-Kernel Kontest, 337 



Ladies' Choice, 69 
Lakes of Killarney, 108 
Lap Luncheon, XIV Cen- 
tury, _ 152 
Latest Sensation In the Holi- 
day Press, 372 
Laugh, 117 
Laugh-Awhile Party, 105 
Laugh About Them Cub, 527 
Laugh, It Is To, 117 
Laughable Sociable or Track 

Meet, 478 

Laughable "Stunts," 271 

Lawn, Croquet on the, 223 
Lawyer and the Carpenter, 

Romance of the, 461 

Leader, Follow the, 338 

Leaf Guessing Contest, 155 

Leap Year Games, 64 

Leap-Year Luck, 66 

Let's A-Berrying Go. 231 

"Let's Do This Next" Picnic, 221 

Letter Rimes, Transposed, 485 

Letters, Progressive, 208 

Life of Washington, The, 55 

Lincoln Candy Favor, 51 

Lines, Profitable Side, 247 

Lions Roar, Making the, 540 

Literary Menu, 413 

Literature Contest, 499 

Little Cost, Favors at, 97 

Living "on the Road," 503 



"Looking Backward" Proph- 
ecy, 193 
Lost Identity, 42 
Lovers, Famous, 70 
Luck, Leap-Year, 66 
Luncheons: 
Athletic Country Cub, 226 
Boards, Tete-a-Tete, 209 
Clover, 240 
Daifodil and Violet, 145 
Easter Party, 133 
XIV Century Lap, 152 
Fourth of July, 205 
Holiday, 386 
Maple-Leaf, 313 
Rose Announcement, 568 

M 

Mad-March Party, 109 

Magazine, Old-Time, 79 

Magazine Party, 410 

Magazine Romance, 411 

Maid, Serving Without a, 518 
Maids, Nonsense Rimes for 

the, 288 

Mail-Order Party, 142 
Make "Madam Pig," How 

to, 90 

Making Geese, 117 

Making Place Cards, 133 

Making the Clown's Face, 541 

Making the Lions Roar, 540 

Maple-Leaf Luncheon, 313 

Marathon, 482 

March, Heart, 36 

Marshmallow Toast, 219 

Martha's Hat Stunt, 54 

Masquerade, New Year's, 6 

Match, Boxing, 482 

Matching Hats, 141 

Match-Making, 71 

Matchmaking Conundrums, 430 

Match Partners, 519 

Match, Swimming, 331 

Match, Tennis, 481 



596 



INDEX 



Material Contest, American- 
Made, 472 
Matrimony, The Sea of, 45 
Maytime Party, 149 
Maze, 221 
May Walk, 166 
Meet, Games for an Indoor 

Track, _ 481 

Meet, Laughable Sociable or 

Track, 478 

Meet, Mother Nature Track, 476 
Meet the "Murphys," To, 85 

Meeting, Mirthful, 516 

Melon Seed Contest, 251 

Memories, Eyes and Fingers 

for These, 61 

Men, Nonsense Rimes for the, 292 
Menus: 
April Fool, 121, 123 

Athletic Luncheon, 227 

Automobile Party, 487 

Blue Monday Shower, 570 

Botanica Banquet, 189 

Camp Supper Club, 261 

Cherry Party, 53 

Chicken Supper, 125 

Cotton Wedding, 571 

Crystal Wedding, 578 

Football Dinner, 329 

Greek Symposium, 187 

Ghost Party, 307 

Golden, 153 

Golden Wedding, 581 

Holly Reds and Ever 

Greens, 345 

Leap- Year Party, 71 

Literary, 413 

May Walk, 167 

Money-Raising Social, 299 

Mother Nature's Party, 477 
Musical Party, 402 

Old Fashioned Supper, 51 

Old Homestead Supper and 

Party, 229 

Orchard Fete, 245 



Other Ideas for, 123 
Paper Wedding, 572 
Party for Grandma, 583 
Pig Party, 92 
Progressive Age, 385 
Pumpkin Blossom Table, 318 
Red and White, 121 
St. Patrick's Day Party, 96 
Scientific Revel, 190 
Senior Breakfast, 183 
Shamrock Party, 84, 86 
Silhouette Table, 317 
Silver Wedding, 580 
Tin Wedding, 577 
Twelfth Night, 9 
Twenty Years Ago Supper, 77 
Twisted, 485 
Valentine, 41 
Vegetable Table, 319 
Washington, 60 
White, 154 
Witch Table, 318 
Wooden Wedding, 572 
XIV Century Lap Lunch- 
eon, 153 
Merry-Go-Round, 204 
Merry-Go-Round, Patriotic, 471 
Merry Whistlers Club, 528 
Millinery Party, Spring, 139 
Mirthful Meeting, 516 
Missed, Things Our Grand- 
mothers, 73 
Missing Word Contest, 575 
"Mitten, Getting the," 65 
Mixed Quartets, 57 
Mixer, To Break the Ice, 35, 101 
Mix-Up Acquaintance Maker, 419 
Modeling Class, 10 
Mock Dishes, Other, 122 
Mock Orchestra, 402 
Molasses Kisses, 65 
Molded Fruits, _ 250 
Money-Raising Social, 296 
Monosyllables, 468 
Moon, Seeing the New, 281 



INDEX 



S97 



Moonlight Night, Nature So- 
cial, 512 
Moonlight on the Water, 254 
Moonlight Party, 217 
Morning Games, Christmas, 379 
Mother Goose, Commercial, 455 
Mother Goose Partner Find- 
ers, 439 
Mother Nature's Party, 474 
Mother's Nature Track 

Meet, 476 

Mother, Shower for, 566 

Mother Lover Story Contest, 488 

Movie Comedies, 525 

"Murphys," to Meet the, 85 
Music, Around the World, 

with, 392 

Musical, Afternoon, 85 

Musical Charades, 394 

Musical Composition, 393 

Musical Fakes, 403 

Musical Party, 392, 399 

Musical Search, 401 

Musical Snips, 441 

Musical Table Decoration, 402 

Musicale, Christmas, 370 
Musicale I Planned for My 

Neighbors, 398 
Mystic New Year Resolu- 
tions, 11 

N 

Nature Social, 155 
Nature Social for a Moonlight 

Night, 512 
Nature Track Meet, Mother, 476 
Nature's Party, Mother, 474 
Needle Festival, 436 
Neighbors, Musicale I Plan- 
ned for My, 398 
Newcomer, For a, 517 
New Kind of Picnic, 221 
New Potato Race, 106 
New Refreshment Stunt, 108 
Newspaper Article, 372 



Newspaper Social, 514 
New Year Futurist Party, 19 
New Year Resolutions, Mys- 
tic, 11 
New Year's Day Progressive 

Dinner, 3 
New Year's Eve Party, 1 
New Year's Eve Table Dec- 
oration, 5 
New Year's Gifts, Contest of, 17 
New Year's Masquerade, 6 
New Year's Party, 17 
New Year's Resolutions, 2 
New Year's Resolution Part- 
ners, 6 
Night and Class Parties, 

Fun for Class, _ 179 

Ninety Minute Sewing, 428 

No-China Table, 223 
Nonsense Rimes for the 

Maids, 288 

Nonsense Rimes for the Men, 292 

North Pole Party, 9 

Novel Fishing Party, 235 
Novel Invitation, Hallowe'en 

Party, _ _ 283 
Novel Invitations, Watch 

Face, 1 
Novel Teas, _ _ 494 
Noveties, April First Refresh- 
ment, 119 
Novelties, Easter, 146 
Novelty, Invitation, 491 
Novelty Walk, 363 
Number Game, 443 
Nut Guessing Contest, 329 
Nut Hunting, Forestry So- 
cial, 172 
"Nuts" and "Geese," 111 



Obiects, Guessing Conun- 
drums from, 458 
Observation Game, 347 
Observation Race, 271 



598 



INDEX 



Obstacle Race, Four-Corner, 

Obstacle Race to the Pole, 

Old Fashioned Supper, 

Old Japan, Springtime in. 

Old Pines Bear Gifts, 

Old Sayings, 

Old Shoe, Throwing an, 

Old Songs, Program of, 

Old-Time Magazine, 

Old-Time Party, 

Old Year, Farewell Party to 

the, 
Old Year's Follies, 
Once-in-Four Party, 
Orchard Fete, 
Orchestra, Mock, 
Other April-Fool Dishes, 
Other Games and Stunts, 
Other Mock Dishes, 
Other Menus, 
Out, Counting, 
Outdoor Basket Service, 
Outdoor Breakfast, 
Outdoor Christmas Parties, 
Outdoor Games, 
Outdoor Patriotic Fete, 
Outdoor Social, 
Out-of-Date Goodies, 
Out-of-Date Telegram, 
Out-of-Date Social, 
Out-of-Dates, Guessing, 



Pageant, Forestry, 

Paint Signs and Pitfalls, 

Pancake Party for Shrove 
Tuesday, 

Pansy Fortunes, 

Pantomime, Christmas-Shop- 
ping, 

Paper and Pencils, With, 

Paper Wedding, 

Pare of Apples, 

Parliamentary Speech, 



480 


Part, Where Each Guest Has 


10 


a, 


87 


50 


Parties: 




146 


All Our Friends, 


370 


265 


Around the Table, 


374 


149 


Automobile, 


486 


281 


Beach Bathing, 


275 


77 


Bell, 


357 


79 


Bunkin', 


272 


73 


Button, 


435 




Chestnut, 


327 


4 


Children's Easter, 


533 


2 


Christmas Favor, 


342 


68 


Christmas-Stocking, 


347 


245 


Christmas Taper, 


344 


402 


Christmas-Tree, 


350 


126 


Christmas-Star, 


354 


316 


Cubist, 


491 


122 


District School, 


496 


123 


Firelight, 


344 


65 


Foolishness, 


520 


224 


Good Cheer, 


524 


242 


Grandma, 


582 


362 


Hallowe'en Ghost, 


304 


474 


Halowe'en Witch, 


307 


203 


Harvest Freak, 


325 


213 


Heartstone, 


347 


493 


Hobo, 


503 


493 


Horror, 


308 


493 


Indian, 


506 


493 


Indoor Camping, 


330 




Magazine, 


410 




Mother Nature's, 


474 




Musical, 


399 


172 


Musical Stunt, 


402 


116 


North Pole, _ 


9 




Outdoor Christmas, 


362 


132 


Peach, 


217 


164 


Pig, 


89 




Porch Sewing, 


436 


371 


President's, 


50 


24 


Progressive Art, 


417 


571 


Progressive Sewing, 


436 


337, 


Pussy Willow, 


134 


347] 


Rabbit, 


533 



INDEX 



599 



Real-Estate, 517 

Rest, 521 

Sewing, 426 

Sixteenth Birthday, 511 

Slogan, 508 

Smile, 524 

Stunt, 543 

Summer Musical, 392 

Surprising, 581 

Tea, 432 

Telephone, 415 

Twelfth Night, 8 

Twister and Twirler, 484 
Two-Year-Old, Birthday, 530 

Wee Ones, Birthday, 529 
Where Everybody Laughed, 500 

Young Folks 378 
Partner Finding: 

Allied Game, 220 

April Fool Party, 113 

Audubon Social, 176 

Automobile Party, 488 

Carryall Picnic Game, 269 

Chairless, 440 

Chestnut Party, 328 

Christmas-Star Party, 355 

Duplicate Bird Pictures, 36 

Eyeing Your Partner, 440 

Famous Lovers, 70 

Flower, 439 

For Young Folks, 378 

Frolic in Birdland, 171 

Ghost Party, 304 

Heart Frame, 25 

Heart Keys, 26 

Heart March, 36 

Heart Strings, 37 

Holly and Mistletoe, 378 

Hooking, 236 

Indian Party, 507 

Irish, 86 

Irish-City Charades, 93 
Latest Sensation in the 

Holiday Press, 372 

Mad-March Party, 110 



Match, 519 
Matching Hearts, 68 
Moonlight Party, 218 
Mother Goose, 439 
New Year's Resolutions, 6 
Pancake Party, 132 
Partner Finding, 58 
Pedestrian Dinner, 386 
Ribbon, 439 
Slogan Party, 508 
Twister and Twirler Party, 484 
Vegetable Party, 237 
Verses for, 29 
Witch Party, 308 
Party Announcement, Thim- 
ble, _ 546 
Pastime, Fireside, 346 
Patriotic Fete, Outdoor, 203 
Patriotic Merry-Go-Round, 471 
Peanut Jab, 336 
Peanut Pitch, 337 
Peanut Toss, 467 
Peanuts, Feeding the Ele- 
phant with, 540 
Pedestrian Dinner, 385 
Peep Box Shows, 380 
Pencil, Trick, 115 
Pennies, Hunting for, 271 
Penny, Hiding Ring, Thim- 

be and, 316 

Personal T's Contest, 495 

Peter, Puzzling, 336 
Physical and Psychological 

Examination, 523 

Physiology Contest, 499 

Pickle Shower, 553 
Picnic for Fourth-of-July 

House Party, 196 

Picnic Game, Carryall, 268 

Picnic, Indoor, 334 

Picnic, Rural Indoor, 332 

Picnic, New Kind of, 221 

Picnic Refreshments, 41 

Picnic, Rose, 239 

Picture Cake, 391 



600 



INDEX 



Picture, Christmas Souvenir, 352 
Pictures, Bird, _ 171 
Pictures, Confetti, 20 
Pictures, Guessing Historic, 62, 
Pictures, Pumpkin-Pie, 338 
Pie Contest, 468 
Pie, Jacic Horner, Sll 
Pig, Behold! A Green, 82 
Pig, How to Make Madame, 90 
Pig Party, 89 
Pigs, Feeding the, 86 
Pin Contest, 209, 450 
Pin the Shamrock on Ireland, 100 
Pine Cone Candle Holders, 389 
Pines Bear Gifts, Old, 265 
Pitch, Peanut, 337 
Pitfalls, Paint Signs and, 116 
Place Card Verses, 433 
Place Cards, Making, 133 
Place Cards, April-Fool Quo- 
tations for, 130 
Place Cards, Handy Shower, 563 
Place Cards, Surprise, 375 
Place Finding, Valentine 

Rimes for, 43 

Pleasure Trip to Ireland, 101 

Poinsettia Cake, 390 

Poinsettia Table, 390 

Political Stars, 356 

Popular Inventions, 414 

Porch, Entertaining on the, 208 
Porch, Horoscope Party on 

the, 214 

Porch Party, Betsy Ross, 199 

Porch Sewing Parties, 436 

Porch, Vacation Trip on the, 210 

Post Office, Christmas, 349 

Potato Contest, 98 

Potato Golf, 100 

Potato Paring Contest, 505 

Potato Race, New, 106 

Potatoes and Snakes, 83 

President Contest, 472 

President's Party, 50 

President's Reception, 424 



Prize Avoirdupois Contest, 481 

Proclamation, 547 

Profitable Side Lines, 247 

Program, Audubon Social, 176 

Program, Bell, 359 

Program, Floral, 177 

Program of Old Songs, 77 

Program, Seven-Girl, 420 
Program, Short-Cut College 

Course, 424 

Programs, Bird, 171 

Progressive Age Menu, 385 

Progressive Age Party, 230 

Progressive Art Party, 417 
Progressive Dinner, Through 

the Months, 3 
Progressive Gossip, 69 
Progressive Letters, 208 
Progressive Sewing Party, 436 
Prom, Junior, 425 
Prophecy, "Looking Back- 
ward," 193 
Prophecy, Round-Robins, 192 
Prophet, Great White, 117 
Proverbs, Translated, 405 
Psychological Examination, 

Physical and, 523 

Pumpkin Blossom Table, 317 

Pumpkin-Pie Pictures, 338 

Pussy Willow Party, 134 

Puzzle Announcement, 544 

Puzzle, Rose, 568 

Puzzling Game, 455 

Puzzling Peter, 336 



Q 

Quartets, Mixed, 57 

Questions, Good Cheer, 525 

Questions, Game of, 100, 444 

Quilt, Grandmother's Crazy, 110 

Quiz, T, 494 

Quotation Contest, 413 
Quotations for Place Cards, 

April-Fool, 130 



INDEX 



601 



Rabbit Party, 


533 


Races: 




Balloon, 


536 


Bun, 


271 


Chariot, 


483 


Corn, 


535 


Costume, 


451 


Cup, 


270 


Four-Corner Obstacle, 


480 


Hoop, 


345 


Horse, 


482 


Hurdles, 


481, 483 


New Potato, 


106 


Rainy-Day, 


271 


Rose, 


473 


Sewing, 


429 


Stringing, 


507 


Surprise, 


272 


Wheelbarrow, 


335 


Windy, 


110 


Ya^ht, 


138 


Racket Favors, 


6 


Raisin Rush, 


337 


Reading, Crystal, 


180 


Real-Estate Party, 


517 


Reception, Cool, 


210 



Reception, President's, 424 

Records, Evening with New, 395 
Red and White Menu, 121 

Refreshments : 

Afternoon Musical, 86 

April First Novehies, 119 

April Fool Party, 120, 127 

Arctic Style, 10 

Audubon Social, 176 

Bedroom Shower, 549 

Bell Party, 359 

Birthday Party for a Two- 
Year-Old, 530 

Birthday Party for the Wee 
Ones, 529 

Blue-and-White Shower 554 
Campfire on the Hills, 255 
Change in, 95 



Cherry Party, 246 
Chestnut Party, 328 
Christmas Star Party, 357 
Circus of Renown, 542 
Clover Luncheon, 241 
Cool Reception, 211 
Daffodil and Violet Lunch- 
eon 145 
Dark-Night Bonfire, 265 
Dickens' Birthday, 80 
District School Party, 500 
Domestic Social, 517 
Easter Party, 133 
Eastertime Breakfast, 145 
Finding the Witch's Cat, 303 
Fourth of July Luncheon, 205 
Garden Club, 207 
Ghosts in the Cornfield, 320 
Growing on Trees, 211 
Hallowe'en Party, 282 
Hard Times Party, 506 
Harvest Freak Party, 326 
Harvest Salamagundi, 338 
Hobo Party, 504 
Hooking Partners, 236 
Indian Party, 507 
Indian Social or Corn Fes- 
tival, 514 
Indoor Camping Party, 332 
Lawn Party, 224 
Let's A-Berrying Go, 232 
Mad-March Party, 111 
Maple-Leaf Luncheon, 314 
Maytime Party, Daffodil! 

Table 153 
Maytime Party, Rose 

Table, 154 

Moonlight Party, 219 

New Stunt, 108 

New-Year Futurist Party, 19 

Old Elm's Party, 226 

Once-in-Four Party, 70 

Other Ideas for, 201 

Outdoor Christmas Parties, 363 

Outdoor Social, 214 



602 



INDEX 



Picnic, 41 

Progressive Age Party, 230 

Rabbit Party, 535 

Rest Party, _ 523 

Rimes for Serving, 277 

Rural Indoor Picnic, 334 

Sewing Party, 435 

Shamrock, 84 

Short-Cut College Course, 425 

Smile Party, 525 

Sociable Social, 514 

Springtime in Old Japan, 148 

Student Reunion, 420 

Surprising Party, 581 
Tete-a-Tete Luncheon 

Boards, 209 
Towel Shower, 562 
Tug-of-War Centerpiece, 320 
Valentine Party, 25, 41 
Vegetable Party, 238 
Washington Party, 58 
When Nancy Has a Birth- 
day, ' 531 
Windy Weather Party, 136 
Witch Party, _ 309 
Wooden Wedding, 575 
Relay, Bean-Bag, 474 
Reminiscence Game, 17 
Remnant Stakes, 334 
Renown, Circus of, 538 
Resolution Partners, New 

Year's, _ 6 
Resolutions, Mystic New 

Year, 11 
Rest Party, 521 
Reunion, Student, 419 
Revel, Scientific, 190 
Rewards, Game of, 453 
Ribbon Flag, 199 
Ribbon Partners, 439 
Riddles, Bird, _ 169 
Riddles, Irish-City Char- 
ades, 93 
Ride. Aeroplane, 20 
Ride, Stealing a, 503 



312 



Ride the Goat, 
Rimes : 

For the Maids, Nonsense, 288 
For the Man, Nonsense, 292 
Fortune, 400, 474 

Kitchen Shower, 555 

Leap-Year Luck, 66 

Place Finding, Valentine, 43 
Serving Refreshments, 277 

Snowball Favors, 14 

Transposed Letter, 485 

Where Each Guest Has a 

Part, 87 

Writing a Famous, 407 

Ring and Goblet, 316 

Ring, Thimble and Penny, 

Hiding, _ 316 

Ripe, Cheer up! Cherries 

Are, _ _ 246 

Roadside Competition, 381 

Roar, Making the Lions, 540 
Romance, College, 460 

Romance of the Lawyer and 
the Carpenter, 461 

Romance, Magazine, 411 

Romance, Texas, 204 

Rose Announcement Lunch- 
eon, 568 
Rose Picnic, 239 
Rose Puzzle, 568 
Rose Race, 473 
Rose Table, 154 
Ross Porch Party, Betsy, 199 
Round-Robin Prophecy, 192 
Rule, Fine Conversational, 267 
Rural Picnic Indoor, 332 
Rush, Flag, 420 
Rush, Raisin, 337 



Saint Valentine's Own Party, 25 
Salad, Candleweight, 345 

Salad, Hallowe'en, 321 

Salamagundi, Harvest, 335 

Sayings, Old, 149 



INDEX 



603 



Scenes and Songs of Ireland, 103 
School Parties, Great Sympo- 
sium, 185 
School Party, District, 496 
School Party, Valentine, 28 
School, Sewing, 429 
Scientific Revel, 190 
Scramble, Egg, 534 
Scramble, Seed, 338 
Sea of Matrimony, 45 
Search, Musical, 401 
Seed Scramble, 338 
Seeing the New Moon, 281 
Seniors, Breakfast for, 181 
Sensation in the Holiday 

Press, Latest, 372 
Sentences, Twisted, 484 
Serving Without a Maid, 518 
Settings that Add to the 
Spookiness of the Frolic, 
Weird, 282 
Seven Edible Baskets, 151 
Seven, Girls Program, 420 
Sewing Club, for a, 154 
Sewing, Ninety Minute, 428 
Sewing Parties, 426 
Sewing Parties, Porch, 436 
Sewing Party, 427 
Sewing Party, Progressive, 436 
Sewing Party Refreshments, 435 
Sewing Race, 429 
Sewing School, 429 
Shakespearean Wedding Con- 
test, 463 
Shamrock Hunts and Stunts, 83 
Shamrock on Ireland, Pin 

the, 100 

Shamrock Party, 81 

Shamrock Refreshments, 84 

Shamrock Social, 98 

Shamrocks, Drawing, 82 

Shooting Contest, 331 

Shooting Contest, Heart, 23 

Short-Cut College Course, 421 

Show Contest, Bird, 174 



Show, Flower, 


160 


Showers: 




Basket, 


550 


Bedroom, 


549 


Blue-and-White, 


554 


Blue Monday, 


569 


Bottle, 


563 


Brush, 


553 


Clover, 


549 



For a Young Bride, Sur- 
prise, 551 
For Mother, 566 
Garden, 564 
Handy, 562 
Hosiery, 547 
Kitchen, 552, 554 
Pickle, 553 
Towel, 562 
Workbasket, 550 
Shrove Tuesday, Pancake 

Party for, 132 

Side Lines, Profitable, 247 

Signers, Do You Know the, 200 

Signs and Pitfalls, Paint, 116 

Silhouette Contest, 4 

Silhouette Table, 317 

Silver Wedding, 579 

Sixteenth Birthday Party, 511 

Sketching, Thread, 450 

Slang-less Game, 441 

Slogan Party, 508 

Smile Party, 524 

Smiles, Half, 524 

Snakes, Potatoes and, 83 

Sneeze, Good Omen, 281 

Snips, Musical, 441 

Snowball Rime Favors, 14 

Snowballs, Ten Alliterative, 16 
Sociable or Track Meet, 

Laughable,_ 478 

Sociable Social, 514 

Social, Audubon, 173 
Social, Autumn or Old Home 

Week, 517 

Social Call, 420 



604 



INDEX 



Social College, _ 423 

Social, Domestic, S16 

Social, Favorite Flower, 176 

Social, Forestry, 172 

Social, Money-Raising, 296 

Social for a Moonlight Night, 

Nature, 513 

Social, Nature, 155 

Social, Newspaper, 514 

Social or Corn Festival, In- 
dian, 513 
Social, Outdoor, 213 
Social, Out-of-Date, 493 
Social, Shamjfock, 98 
Social, Sociable, 514 
Solemn Occasion, 505 
Song Charades, 401 
Songs of Ireland, Scenes and, 103 
Songs, Program of Old, 77 
Souvenir Pictures, Christmas, 352 
Souvenirs, Circus of Renown, 542 
Souvenirs, Party for Grand- 
ma, 583 
Speech, Parliamentary, 347 
Spell Down, Campfire, 257 
Spells, Witch's, 302 
Spider, Brings Money, 281 
Splitting the Tape, 51 
Spooktown Centerpieces, 324 
Spooky Ghost Table with 

Yellow Moons, 322 

Spring Millinery Party, 139 

Springtime in Old Japan, 146 

St. Patrick's Guessing Con- 
test, 99 
"Stag" for the Boys, Christ- 
mas, 366 
Stakes, Remnant, 334 
Stamp, Guessing Objects on 

the Two-Cent, _ 383 

Standing Broad Grin, 480 

Star Contest, 356 

Star Hunt, 356 

Stars, Political, 356 

Stations, Change, 488 



Stealing a Ride, 


503 


Stew, Irish, 


101 


Stone Game, 


256 


Stories, Flower, 


163 


Storm, Christmas, 


343 



Story, Floral Wedding, 160 

Story, T, 496 

Strange Tickets, 297 

Stringing 'Race, 507 

Student Reunion, 419 

Study, Course of, 421 

Stunt, New Refreshment, 108 

Stunt Party, 402, 543 

Stunts for Entertaining, 114 

"Stunts," Laughable, 271 

Stunts, Other Games and, 316 
Stunts, Shamrock Hunts and, 83 
Suggestions, Entertainment, 248 
Suggestions, Fruit-Serving, 249 
Summer?, Did You Camp 

Last,_ _ 339 

Superstitions, Charms and, 280 
Supper, Chicken, Things are 

Not Always What They 

Seem, 125 

Supper Club, Camp, 259 

Supper Old Fashioned, SO 

Supper, Twenty Years Ago, 76 
Supper, Twilight, 349 

Surprise Boat Trip, 253 

Surprise Picnic Luncheons, 269 
Surprise Place Cards, 375 

Surprise Race, 272 

Surprise Shower for a Young 

Bride, 551 

Surprising Party, 581 

Swimming Match, 331 

Symposium, Greek, 185 



Tableaux, Burlesque, 118 

Table, Decorating the, 317 

Table, Harvest Supper, 339 

Table of Golden Hue, 153 

Table, Party Around the, 3,74 



INDEX 



605 



Table, Poinsettia, 390 

Table, Pumpkin Blossom, 317 

Table, Silhouette, 317 

Table, Terraced-Garden, 321 

Table, Vegetable, 319 

Table, Witch, 318 
Table With Yellow Moons, 

Spooky Ghost, 322 
Table Decorations: 

April Fool Party, 120, 126 

Automobile Party, 487 

Beach Bathing Party, 376 

Bedroom Shower, 549 
Birthday Party for a Two- 

Year Old, 530 
Birthday Party for the Wee 

Ones, 529 

Black-Eyed-Susan, 255 

Blue Monday Shower, 570 

Cherry Party, 52 

Christmas Star Party, 357 

Circus of Renown, 541 

Cotton Wedding, 571 

Crystal Wedding, 578 

Daffodil, 153 

Easter Party or Luncheon, 133 

Eastertime Breakfast, 144 

Eight-Year-Old's Birthday, 530 

Finding the Witch's Cat, 303 

Fisherman's-Luck Dinner, 233 

For a Sewing Club, 155 

Fourth of July Luncheon, 205 

Fruit Festival, 245 

Golden Menu, 154 

Golden Wedding, 580 

Kitchen Shower, 552 

Lawn and Sports Parties, 223 

Lawn Party, 224 

May Walk, 166 

Maytime Party, 150 

Musical, 402 

Needle Festival, 437 

New Year's, 18 

New Year's Eve, 5 



Old Homestead Supper and 

Party, 229 

Outdoor Breakfast, 242 

Party Around the Table, 374 

Party for Grandma, 582 

Pedestrian Dinner, 383 

Pussy Willow Party, 136 

Rabbit Party, 535 

Real-Estate Party, 518 

Rose Table, 154 

St. Patrick's Day Party, 96 

Sea of Matrimony, 45 
Shamrock Party, 84, 86 

Silver Wedding, 579 

Spring Millinery Party, 141 

Springtime in Old Japan, 146 
Surprise Shower for a 

Young Bride, 551 
Things Are Not Aways 

What They Seem, 125 
Tin Wedding, 577 
Towel Shower, 562 
Twelfth Night, 9 
Washington's Birthday, 51 
Watermelon Party, 252 
When Nancy Has a Birth- 
day, 531 
Windy Weather Party, 137 
Wooden Wedding, 573 
Workbasket Shower, 550 
Tables and Christmas Cakes, 

Christmas, 389 

Tag, Balloon, 537 

Tale, Turkey, 364 

Tally, Airplane, 379 

Tape, Splitting, 51 

Target, Game, 38 

Tea, Alliterative, 496 

Teakettle, 496 

Tea Party, 432 

Tea-Party Telegrams, 495 

Teas, Novel, 494 

Telegram, Out-of-Date, 493 

Telegrams, Tea-Party, 495 

Telegraphic Effusions, 71 



606 



INDEX 



Telephone Tests, 415 

Ten Alliterative Snowballs 16 

Tennis Match, 481 

Terraced-Garden Table, 321 

Test, Apple-Seed, 316 

Test, Can You, 528 

Test in Astronomy, 356 

Tests, Telephone, 415 

Tete-a-Tete Luncheon Boards 209 
Texas Romance, 204 

Thankful For What Should 

WeBe,_ 330 

Thanksgiving Games, 329 

Thanksgiving Time Reunion, 339 
These Enjoyed Helping 

Themselves, 212 

Thimble Club, 433 

Thimble Party Announce- 
ment, 546 
Thimble and Penny, Hiding 

Ring, 316 

Things Are Not Always 

What They Seem, 124 

Things Our Grandmothers 

Missed, 73 

Thread Sketching, 450 

Throw, Hammer, 480 

Throwing an Old Shoe, 281 

Tickets, Strange, 297 

Tin Wedding, 577 

Toast, Marshmallow, 219 

Toasts, Class" 194 

To Meet the "Murphys," 85 

Tongue Twisters Contest, 484 

Toss, Peanut, 467 

Toss, Yule Log, 348 

Tossing Eggs, 534 

Towel Shower, 562 

T Quiz 494 

Track Meet, Games for an 

Indoor, 481 

Track Meet, Laughable So- 
ciable or, 478 
Track Meet, Mother Nature, 476 
Trading Games, 574 



Translated Proverbs, 405 
Transposed Letter Rimes 485 
Tree, Fortune Heart, 22 
Tree Guessing Contest, 155 
Tree, Trimming the Christ- 
mas, 378 
Trees, Refreshments Growing 
, on, 211 
Tribes, Well-Known Indian, 462 
Trick Pencil, 115 
Tricks and Favors, 113 
Trimming the Christmas Tree, 378 
Trip on the Porch, Vacation, 210 
Trip, Surprise Boat, 253 
Trip to Ireland, Pleasure, 101 
Truth, the Game of, 53 
T Story, 496 
Tuesday, Pancake Party for 

Shrove, 132 

Tug-of-War Centerpiece, 320 

Turkey Tale, 364 

Twelfth Night Parties, 8 

Twenty Years Ago Supper, 76 

Twilight Supper, _ 349 

Twirler Party, Twister and, 484 

Twisted Answers, 107 

Twisted Menus, 485 

Twisted Sentences, 484 

Twisted Words, 484 

Twister and Twirler Party, 484 
Two-Year Old, Birthday 

Party for a, 530 

u 

U-Auto-Know Contest, 489 

Up-to-Date Game, 414 



Vacation Trip on the Porch, 210 

Valentine Auction, 39 
Valentine Fun Makers, Four 

Good, 40 
Valentine Ideas, Pretty, Prac- 
tical, 34 
Valentine Menu, 41 



INDEX 



607 



Valentine Rimes for Place 

Finding, 43 

Valentine School Party, 28 
Variety, Dark-Night Bonfire 

for, _ 263 

Vegetable Courtship 238 

Vegetable Party, 236 

Vegetable Table, 319 

Verses, Place Card, 433 
Violet Luncheon, Daffodil 

and, 145 



w 

Walk to Dublin, 106 
Walk, May, 166 
Washington Cake, George, 51 
Washington, The Life of, 55 
Washington's Menu 60 
Washington's Birthday Social, 57 
Watch Contest, 2 
Watch Night Party, 1 
Water, Moonlight on the, 254 
Watermelon Fete, 249 
Watermelon Party, 250 
Ways to Bestow Favors, 387 
Wearing of the Green, 107 
Weather Party, Windy, 136 
Wedding, Aquatic, 234-' 
Wedding Contest, Shakespea- 
rean, 463 
Wedding, Cotton, ^ 571 
Wedding, Crystal, , 578 
Wedding Game, 575 
Wedding, Golden, ■ 580 
Wedding, Silver, 579 
Wedding Story, Floral, 160 
Wedding, Tin, 577 
Wedding, Wooden, 572 
Weird Settings that Add to 
the Spooklness of the 
Frolic, 282 
Well, Witches, 321 
Wheelbarrow Race, 335 
Wheel of Fortune, 39 



When Nancy Has a Birth- 
day, 531 
Where Each Guest Has a 

Part, 87 

Where Is It? 465 

Where the Snowball Falls, 14- 

Where's Your Heart, 38 

Whistle Contest, 270 
Whistle to Keep Up Our 

Courage, 501 
Whistling Contest, Eating 

and, 480 

White House, Going to, 51 

White Menu, 154 

White Menu, Red and, 121 

White Prophet, Great, 117 

Who Knows It? 55 

Willow Party, Pussy, 134 

Windy Race, 110 

Windy Weather Party, 136 
Witch, Frivolous Fortunes 

Seen by the Old, 286 

Witch Party, 307 

Witch Table, 318 

Witches' Well, 321 

Witch's Spells, _ 302 

Wooden Wedding, 572 

Word Contest, Missing, 575 

Words, Twisted, 484 

Workbasket Shower, 550 

Works of Art Contest, 417 

Wraps, "Fixing" the, 115 

Writing a Famous Rime, 407 



XIV Century Lap Luncheon, 152 



Yacht Race, 138 

Yarns, Animated, 449 

You Know the Signers, Do, 200 

Young Folks, Party for the, 378 

Yule Log Toss, 348 



